title: [A pilot study on the effects of Mini-SG F attachments on periodontal health of the abutment teeth used in free-end partial removable dentures].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of Mini-SG F attachment on periodontal health of the abutment teeth in restoring free-end removable partial dentures (RPDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  The periodontal status of the abutments in restoring free-end RPDs was longitudinally observed with periodontal indices commonly used in clinics, and a group comparison was made using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The stability and retention of free-end RPDs retained by Mini-SG F attachments were excellent during the whole observation course. Compared with the periodontal status of the first and the second abutments before restoration respectively, no significant differences in gingival indices, plaque indices, periodontal probing depth, alveolar bone resorption levels of those were shown 6 months after restoration. The mobility of the abutments was significantly reduced when they were splinted together.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mini-SG F attachments used in free-end RPDs have no evident adverse effect on periodontal health of the abutment teeth, and the way of splinting the abutments is advantageous to their long-term health and stability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School of Stomotology, Beijing 100081, China. kqzhouysh@bjmu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Yong-sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003779:Denture Design; D003834:Denture Precision Attachment; D003781:Denture Retention; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D010517:Periodontics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects