Five-year radiographic follow-up of extensive mandibular fixed partial dentures

A group of patients with severely reduced dentitions were restored with 12-unit mandibular fixed partial dentures supported on the two canines and maxillary complete dentures. Eight patients were followed radiographically for 2 years and five of these for up to 5 years. Orthopantomograms, lateral and oblique-lateral cephalograms and intraoral radiographs were used. There were no great radiographically detectable changes either around the abutments or in the jaws. Six of the eight bridges tilted distally during the first 2 years. This downward tilting of the distal parts of the bridge resulted in a marked resorption under the cantilever sections in some patients.