Functional Performance and Complications of Removable Partial Dentures

Methods: 55 patients were randomly assigned to group 1 receiving RPDs retained by CCDCs (n=30) or group 2 treated with RPDs retained by GTDCs (n=30). A total of 112 CCDCs and 105 GTDCs were incorporated. RPDs were retained on a mean number of 3.62 abutment teeth (minimum: 2, maximum: 6). 34 RPDs were seated in the maxilla and 26 in the mandible. After two years, patient's satisfaction with retention was assessed on a 10-point-scale. Based on clinical examination the risk of complications was assessed for both types of RPDs.

Results: After one year 54 and after two years 35 RPDs could be re-evaluated. Within the first 2 years the most frequent complications were delaminations of veneers (n=17; CCDC: 7; GTDC: 12). Six primary crowns had to be recemented (CCDC: 5, GTDC: 1). One tooth had to be extracted and one framework of the RPDs was fractured. With exception of one RPD of GTDC, which had to be renewed because of complete loss of retention, all RPDs were still in service, since the complications could be repaired by predominantly minor modifications. Patient satisfaction with retention on a 10 point-scale was 10 for the CCDC and 9.5 for the GTDC after one year and 10 for the CCDC and 8.5 for the GTDC after 2 years without significant difference between the two different double crown systems (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The functional performance concerning the retention of RPDs was rated as excellent by the patients within a two years period. Regarding the complication rate both double crown systems showed comparable results.