Implant-retained removable partial dentures: a 10 year retrospective study. Part I

Objective: Aim of this study is to evaluate patient satisfaction and prosthetic complications of removable partial dentures (RPDs) retained (but not supported) by dental implants. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 32 consecutive patients who received implant-retained RPDs. Each patient received one to four endosseus implants; the sample included a total of 64 implants. Follow-up was conducted for a minimum of 10 years, during which prosthetic complications and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Results: Our results demonstrated a systematic increase in patient satisfaction after receiving an IR-RPD. Prosthetic complications are: 4 cases of loose abutment in 3 patients; 35 tooth substitution in 25 patients; 14 adjunctive relinings (respect the conventional 1 each 2 years) in 7 patients. Conclusions: The combined use of implants and traditional RPDs increases patient satisfaction. Prosthetic complications are infrequent, easily solvable and economically less expensive for the patient.