The replacement of a unilateral partial denture with an implant-supported fixed prosthesis: a clinical report

Various treatment options have been advocated to restore short span edentulous spaces. For a single edentulous space, some clinicians have advocated the use of a unilateral removable partial denture because this design has certain advantages for the patient, and it does not require the preparation of adjacent teeth for the fabrication of a fixed partial denture. However, potentially serious consequences associated with this design type have been reported. The unilateral partial denture can become dislodged, swallowed, or aspirated, which can result in hospitalization, perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, possibly followed by surgical intervention to retrieve the prosthesis. Although an implant-supported single tooth replacement has been widely accepted and documented as a predictable treatment alternative, few clinical cases present have been presented in which potential severe iatrogenic damage can be so easily avoided. A treatment alternative that avoids potential hazards inherent in the design of a unilateral partial denture has been presented in this article.