Assessment of Periodontal Health Among Removable and Fixed Partial Denture Wearers patients

Abstract

Background:
Periodontal health is a critical factor in the long-term success of prosthetic rehabilitation. Removable and fixed partial dentures are commonly used prosthetic options for partially edentulous patients. However, the effect of these dentures on periodontal tissues remains a concern. This study aims to assess and compare periodontal health among patients wearing removable and fixed partial dentures.

Material and Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 100 patients divided into two groups: 50 removable partial denture (RPD) wearers and 50 fixed partial denture (FPD) wearers. Participants were aged between 35 and 65 years, and all had been wearing their prostheses for at least one year. Periodontal health was evaluated using clinical parameters such as plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Data were analyzed using the independent t-test for intergroup comparisons, with a significance level set at p<0.05.

Results:
The mean plaque index (PI) was significantly higher in RPD wearers (2.1 ± 0.3) compared to FPD wearers (1.6 ± 0.2) (p=0.02). Similarly, the gingival index (GI) showed a statistically significant difference between RPD (1.9 ± 0.4) and FPD wearers (1.3 ± 0.3) (p=0.01). Probing depths (PD) were also deeper in RPD patients (3.5 ± 0.5 mm) than in FPD patients (2.8 ± 0.4 mm) (p=0.03). The clinical attachment level (CAL) was worse in RPD patients (4.0 ± 0.6 mm) compared to FPD patients (3.2 ± 0.5 mm) (p=0.04).

Conclusion:
The findings indicate that removable partial dentures have a more adverse impact on periodontal health compared to fixed partial dentures. Regular periodontal evaluation and maintenance are essential for patients with removable dentures to minimize periodontal complications.