Prevalence of removable partial dentures users treated at the Aracatuba Dental School-UNESP.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of removable partial dentures (RPD) at the Aracatuba Dental School. METHODS: The study was conducted by analysing 412 clinical history of patients attended at the RPD clinics in the period from 2000 to 2007. RESULTS: 412 charts were analysed: 148 (35.9%) men and 264 (64.1%) women. The mean age was 53.8 years (men) and 52.4 years (women). A total of 556 dentures were made; of these, 233 (41.90%) were maxillary and 323 (58.09%) were mandibular dentures. The most frequent Kennedy classification found was Class III (maxilla) and Class I (mandible). In the maxilla, 55% (126) of the major connectors were of the anterior-posterior palatal bar, while in the mandible, 64% (202) were the lingual bar. As regards the claps, 401 were circumferential and 318 were bar claps. CONCLUSION: The mean age of the patients was 52.9 years with higher prevalence of female patients; the most frequent Kennedy's classification was Class I in mandible and Class III in maxilla; the most common major connector was anterior-posterior palatal bar for maxilla and lingual bar for mandible; the circumferential clasps were the most common retainer used in both jaws.

Evaluation of senior Brazilian dental students about mouth preparation and removable partial denture design.

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of senior dental students about mouth preparation and removable partial denture (RPD) design. Two hundred sixty-six senior students from eleven dental schools in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, comprised the sample. The subjects examined two partially edentulous casts mounted on a semiadjustable articulator, answered a questionnaire regarding the treatment plan, and drew the RPD design. The casts consisted of Kennedy Class III, modification 1 maxillary arch and Class II mandibular arch. Ninety percent of the students believed that mouth preparation should be performed although no one was able to name all necessary procedures. For the maxillary arch, 12 percent of the denture designs were completely appropriate, 51 percent were partially appropriate, and 37 percent were inappropriate. For the mandibular arch, the results were 3 percent, 40 percent, and 57 percent, respectively.

Análisis de las alteraciones de la posición de los dientes artificiales de prótesis totales maxilares en función del tamaño del arco / Analysis of position alterations in artificial teeth of maxillary complete dentures in function of the arch size

El propósito de este trabajo fue analizar en prótesis totales maxilares la influencia del tamaño de los arcos en el movimiento de dientes artificiales cuando los mismos se someten a las inclusiones con barrera de yeso tipo IV (especial), polimerizado en microondas y medidas gráficamente por computadora. Veinte y una réplicas de prótesis que se habían construido previamente, fueran divididos en tres grupos: grupo 1, constituido de 7 prótesis maxilares del tamaño pequeño; grupo 2, constituido de 7 prótesis de tamaño medio y, grupo 3, de gran tamaño. Las prótesis habían sido medidas en puntos demarcados previamente en los dientes, con un programa de computación gráfica, después del encerado y después de la polimerización y demuflado. La diferencia entre la medida, en las dos etapas, demostró la ocurrencia de pequeñas alteraciones. Fue concluido, del punto de vista estadístico, que no ha tenido diferencias significativas en las alteraciones de la posición de dientes, en los tres tamaños de modelos estudiados.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of maxillary arch size on the artificial teeth movement in complete dentures. The maxillary dentures were processed with a barrier-type IV gypsum molding technique, and polymerized by microwave energy. Twenty one dentures were fabricated and equally divided into 3 groups, according to maxillary residual ridge size: G1) small; G2) medium and G3) large size. Reference points were made on the incisal edges of the central incisors and the supporting cusps of the premolar and second molar teeth. Linear distances among reference points, in a horizontal plane, were measured with a computer program (Auto cad 2000) before and after processing denture. Although there were differences between measurements, indicating some movement degree among artificial teeth, the results showed no statistical significantly differences among three groups studied. It was concluded that the maxillary arch size has not influence on the artificial teeth position.

Esthetic options for the fabrication of removable partial dentures: a clinical report.

This clinical report describes a procedure for influencing the esthetics of a Kennedy Class III-Modification 1 removable partial denture. The acrylic resin base is eliminated, and the retentive clasp placed on the first premolars is modified. This technique is simple and inexpensive, and in the treatment presented, it resulted in complete patient satisfaction.