Background: Clinicians are continually challenged to improve the standard of treatment. Careful measurements and designs, based on knowledge of tooth loss patterns and biomechanical principles, will determine the overall quality of removable prostheses.
Objectives: This study maps the pattern of tooth loss in a sample of patients and the most efficient designs employed for their cobalt-chrome removable prosthesis.
Material and methods: Data was collected from gypsum casts, metal castings, and prescriptions sent to dental technicians. The sample included both men (44) and women (109). Information was obtained on their Kennedy classification, number of missing teeth in the maxilla and the mandible, the type of major connector fitted, and when additional indirect retainers with clasps were incorporated into the frame. The significance of the association between pairs of these categorical variables was tested by a Chi Square test.
Results: Patients with maxilla loss (82%) had mostly (54%) 6 to 10 missing teeth and were assessed principally (78%) as exhibiting Kennedy Class II or III patterns. Most (77%) of those missing teeth in their mandible (66%) were assessed as either Class I or Class II. The Anterior-Posterior (70%) in the maxilla and the Lingual Bar (74%) in the mandible were the most common fitted connectors. Indirect retainers were used for patients with maxilla (78%) or mandible (96%) tooth loss to provide extra stability.
Conclusion: Additional components incorporated in the Cobalt-Chrome frame increased the biomechanical efficiency of the appliance by reducing destructive forces, caused by the torque on the abutment teeth.
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