Factors associated with successful removable partial denture treatment: an analysis of clinical outcomes and...

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the clinical, functional, and esthetic outcomes of removable partial dentures (RPDs), as well as post-insertion events, and to identify the potential factors and their multifactorial interactions that influence overall RPD success, using real-world, evidence-based support better evidencebased clinical practice in RPD treatment.

A retrospective analysis was performed using data from a university dental clinic's electronic patient management system. Ten outcomes and 23 variables related to patient, oral status, denture, and clinical process were assessed using bivariate tests and logistic regression.

The study included 317 patients aged 34 - 90 years (mean age 69.7), with most patients aged 56 - 75 years (53.63%). Significant predictors of RPD success included the arch receiving the prosthesis, the opposing arch configuration, and the number of post-insertion visits. Single-arch dentures showed higher success. Lower RPDs opposed by complete maxillary dentures and cases involving RPDs in both arches showed reduced success. Maxillary RPD success decreased as the number of missing maxillary teeth increased and more pre-insertion visits were required. The Kennedy classification influenced outcomes only in the maxilla, with Class II and III demonstrating higher success than Class I. No other assessed variables showed significant associations, although descriptive patterns suggested variation across age groups.

These findings highlight the multifactorial nature of RPD success, the predictive value of post-insertion events, and the need to assess the maxilla and mandible both separately and together, as different factors influence success in each arch.