Complications associated with fixed partial dentures with a loose retainer.
BACKGROUND
When 1 retainer of a definitive fixed partial denture (FPD) becomes loose, the clinician has the option of either sectioning and removing the FPD or attempting removal of the intact cemented retainer. Excessive force during attempted FPD removal may irreversibly damage dentition.


OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the type and frequency of complications that may accompany the removal of definitive cemented FPDs with a single loose retainer.


METHODS
Participants included 22 patients with a definitive cemented FPD with complete cast crown coverage castings in which 1 retainer became loose and the other retainer remained cemented. Cemented FPD retainers were removed using 1 of 2 attachments supplied with a crown removal system (Dentco). The patient and FPD characteristics, type of attachment, number of attempts before removal, condition of removed FPD, and condition of the abutment teeth were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.


RESULTS
Clinical findings recorded prior to FPD removal showed that 41% of patients were unaware they had a loose FPD retainer and 82% reported no discomfort associated with the loose retainer. Caries were noted on 50% of the teeth with a loose retainer. Damage resulting from attempted removal of the cemented retainer included minor porcelain fracture (9%), minor core chipping (14%), minor incisal edge chipping of tooth preparations (27%), and major damage to the abutment tooth (4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Retrieval of an intact FPD and recementation was possible 64% of the time.
Curtis
Donald A
DA
Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, University of California San Francisco, School of Dentistry, USA. Don.Curtis@ucsf.edu
Plesh
Octavia
O
Sharma
Arun
A
Finzen
Frederick
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002484:Cementation; D003442:Crowns; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003731:Dental Caries; D017005:Dental Debonding / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019233:Retreatment; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000209:etiology