Comparative evaluation of removable partial overdentures with and without attachments in anterior long span partially edentulous maxilla

Patients attitudes, medical, surgical and financial considerations lead to the use of a removable partial denture [RPD] as the chosen prosthetic restoration even in the [dental implant era]. There is an unlimited RPD design options. Choosing the right one involves considering biochemical factors, aesthetics and patients' comfort. Treatment with a removable partial overdenture [RPOD] is an affordable choice to fulfill the patient's esthetic demands together with providing good prognosis for the prostheses and preservation of the remaining dentition. This article presents a restorative option to optimize the aesthetic by using auxiliary attachments for retention of RPDs. Precision attachment system provides esthetics, vertical resiliency, and easy replacement of worn attachment. The flexi post attachment offers direct retention for the partial overdenture and at the same time providing direct tooth support via the overdenture abutments. Partial overdenture with these attachments has the advantage of being more stable and retentive than partial overdenture without attachments. Ten male patients having long span maxillary anterior edentulous area were selected. The patients were divided into two groups; for group A, removable partial overdentures retained with flexi post attachments were constructed while for group B, removable partial overdentures with conventional bar clasps were used on the abutment teeth. The objective of this work was to study the effect of the two designs on the abutment teeth and supporting structures. Clinical, radiographic and finite element stress analysis examinations were done. The results revealed that both groups showed no significant differences as presented by clinical, radiographic and stress analysis examinations. The patients wearing dentures with flexi-post attachments gained the added advantages of good esthetic and retention