The impact of fixed and removable dental prostheses on the periodontal health of abutment teeth: A Retro-Prospective Comparative Study

Abstract

Introduction

Periodontal disease is the most prevalent oral condition worldwide, resulting from a prolonged inflammatory reaction triggered by the buildup of dental plaque. Many studies have concluded that there is a strong association between periodontal health and tooth restorations, as the periodontium must be healthy for the restoration to last.

Aim

to evaluate the impact of fixed and removable dental prostheses on the periodontal health of abutment teeth.

Methodology

This was a retro-prospective cohort study of 112 abutment teeth collected from 34 patients who received a total of 47 fixed (81 abutments) and 14 removable (31 abutments) dental prostheses treated by senior dental students under supervision during the past two years. Patients were recalled for clinical and radiographic examinations to assess periodontal parameters of abutments, including pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), presence of plaque, and bleeding on probing (BOP), and to evaluate fixed and removable prostheses.

Results

Most of the prostheses were fixed (72.32 %), and most of them were bridges (60.71 %) located in the anterior region of the mouth (58.56 %). The study findings showed a significant increase (mean = 0.46 mm) in clinical attachment loss after prosthesis placement (p < 0.01), while no significant difference was observed in pocket depth (p = 0.062). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in plaque at the follow-up visit compared to the baseline visit (p < 0.01) for only the fixed dental prostheses. There was no significant difference between fixed and removable prostheses regarding their impact on the periodontal health of abutments.

Conclusion

The study found that abutment teeth had increased clinical attachment loss after receiving dental prostheses, highlighting the need for regular maintenance and patient education to maintain periodontal health.