Immediate partial denture with a cast metal framework. A 6-year evaluation

The use of dentures immediately after tooth removal is a common practice in dentistry especially when tooth extraction causes aesthetic problems. In the field of complete dentures, the procedure for the construction of immediate dentures permits the preparation of prostheses with the characteristics of standard dentures that can be used for a long period of time, promoting the recovery of function and aesthetic appearance without impairing patient comfort. For removable partial dentures, immediate prostheses are usually provisional for use over a short period of time while the extraction site heals. These dentures are usually made with acrylic resin and wrought wires, and in addition to compressing delicate parts of the support system, often do not provide the comfort and security needed by the patient. Immediate removable partial dentures with a metal framework are seldom used for this procedure, probably because of the difficulty in fitting the framework prior to surgery. The authors present a clinical example in which a modification of framework positioning permitted previous fitting of the framework, eliminating the possibility of lack of fit after tooth extraction, which resulted in clinical success 6 years later.