Designs of removable partial dentures (RPDs) in treatment for the patients with periodontal disease

Abstract

According to the Survey of Dental Diseases focusing to the numbers of lost natural teeth by Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare, the recent statistics revealed that more than half of those surveyed have achieved the goal of “Status 80 years old -with 20 natural teeth: STATUS 8020” in the year of 2022. This achievement, however, has piggybacked another challenge; the elderly presented with a large number of periodontal pockets over 4mm at the same time. Clinical needs to these patients show still a great role to play on the dental clinicsʼ part in maintaining the oral health. Periodontal disease is the most common cause of missing dentition, and it is likely that this high risk status will persist even after periodontal treatment has been completed. Therefore, the prosthetic treatment of patients with missing dentition should include preventive measures against the recurrence of periodontal disease—i.e. the design, fabrication and maintenance of RPDs that facilitate the plaque control and post-operative maintenance. In this review article, presented are the discussions on above mentioned themes by several leading clinicians.