Perio-Prosthodontics Considerations in Removable Partial Denture: The Role of the Prosthodontist

OBJECTIVE: To review the periodontal considerations associated with removable partial denture therapy. METHODOLOGY: Using a MEDLINE search, for "removable partial dentures periodontal", a total of 712 papers from peer-reviewed journals came in results. The MEDLINE search was made more specific by applying filters to the key phrase with other key words such as "periodontal evaluation"(140), "direct retainers"(77), "non-surgical periodontal"(8), "surgical periodontal"(180), "plaque"(249), "periodontal indices"(112), "tooth mobility,"(180) "periodontal maintenance,"(60) "splinting,"(198) and "split major connector"(2). Both in vivo and in vitro studies on the Perio-prosthodontic aspects of RPD treatment were included in the study pool whereas case Series and case reports were excluded. RESULT: A total of 1206 studies were collected from the search engine. After applying the exclusion criteria and filtering the duplicates a total of 95 studies were included for the narrative review. CONCLUSIONS: Out of all the factors, recall and oral and denture hygiene have the utmost importance. KEYWORDS: Perio-prosthodontics, removable partial denture, periodontal indices.