title: Design of removable partial dentures: a survey of dental laboratories in Greece.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare data on design and fabrication methods of removable partial dentures (RPDs) in two major cities in Greece. A questionnaire was sent to 150 randomly selected dental technicians. The participation rate was 79.3%. The anterior palatal strap, the lingual bar, and the Roach-type clasp arm designs were preferred. Half of the RPDs fabricated were retained using precision attachments. Differences between the two cities were observed in types of major maxillary connectors used, types of attachments and impression materials used, as well as the design of distal-extension RPDs. Postdoctoral education was found to have an impact on RPD fabrication. Despite the differences observed, design and fabrication of RPDs followed commonly used principles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland. maria.avrampou@zmk.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Avrampou
authors.forename: Phophi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kamposiora
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papavasiliou
authors.forename: Argirios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pissiotis
authors.forename: Joannis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katsoulis
authors.forename: Asterios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doukoudakis
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D002858:Chromium Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D016734:Dental Clasps; D003760:Dental Impression Materials / Q000145:classification; D003761:Dental Impression Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D003800:Dental Technicians / Q000193:education; D003779:Denture Design; D003834:Denture Precision Attachment; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D004496:Education, Continuing; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007754:Laboratories, Dental; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry; D012833:Siloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000193:education
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D011145:Polyvinyls; D012833:Siloxanes; C034183:vinyl polysiloxane