Implant-supported mandibular removable partial dentures: Functional, clinical and radiographical parameters in relation to implant position.
BACKGROUND
Patients with a Kennedy class I situation often encounter problems with their removable partial denture (RPD).


OBJECTIVE
To assess the functional benefits of implant support to RPDs, the clinical performance of the implants and teeth and to determine the most favorable implant position: the premolar (PM) or molar (M) region.


METHODS
Thirty subjects received 2 PM and 2 M implants. A new RPD was made. Implant support was provided 3 months later. In a cross-over model, randomly, 2 implants (PM or M) supported the RPD during 3 months. Masticatory performance was assessed using the mixing ability index (MAI). Clinical and radiographic parameters were assessed. Non-parametric statistical analysis for related samples and post hoc comparisons were performed.


RESULTS
Masticatory performance differed significantly between the stages of treatment (P < .001). MAI-scores improved with implant support although the implant position had no significant effect. No complications to the implants or RPD were observed and clinical and radiographical parameters for both implants and teeth were favorable. Higher scores for bleeding on probing were seen for molar implants.


CONCLUSIONS
Implant support to a Kennedy class I RPD significantly improves masticatory function, regardless of implant position. No major clinical problems were observed.
Department of Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, Center for Dentistry and Oral Hygiene, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Charlotte
C
Jensen
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Special Dental Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Caroline M
CM
Speksnijder
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Gerry M
GM
Raghoebar
Department of Public and Individual Oral Health, Center for Dentistry and Oral Hygiene, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Wouter
W
Kerdijk
Department of Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, Center for Dentistry and Oral Hygiene, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Henny J A
HJA
Meijer
Department of Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, Center for Dentistry and Oral Hygiene, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.|Department of Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery, Prosthodontics and Special Dental Care, St. Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
Marco S
MS
Cune
D015921:Dental Implants; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology
D015921:Dental Implants
clinical parameters; implant-supported removable partial denture; masticatory performance; randomized controlled crossover clinical trial