Risk Factors Associated with Complications in Fixed Partial Dentures

Area of Science:

• Dental Prosthetics
• Oral Health Research
• Clinical Dentistry

Background:

• Fixed partial dentures (FPDs) aim to restore function lost due to partial edentulism.
• Understanding risk factors associated with FPD complications is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
• Prevalence of caries predisposition (DMFT index), oral hygiene, bruxism, and smoking are key factors to investigate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the association between risk factors and complications of fixed partial dentures (FPDs).
• To analyze the frequency of biological, technical, and aesthetic complications related to FPDs.
• To identify specific risk factors contributing to different types of FPD complications.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cross-sectional study of 428 patients with FPD complications.
• Data collection on caries predisposition (DMFT index), oral hygiene, bruxism, and smoking status.
• Statistical analysis using Pearson's chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests to assess associations.

Main Results:

• Elevated DMFT index values were observed in both younger and older age groups.
• High percentages of FPD complications were reported: 94.77% biological, 86.27% technical, and 85.62% aesthetic.
• Significant associations found between caries predisposition and smoking with biological complications; bruxism and smoking with technical complications; and poor oral hygiene and smoking with aesthetic complications.

Conclusions:

• Caries predisposition and smoking significantly increase the risk of biological FPD complications.
• Bruxism and smoking are linked to a higher incidence of technical FPD complications.
• Unsatisfactory oral hygiene and smoking are associated with increased aesthetic complications in FPD patients.