The effect of fixed partial dentures on periodontal status of abutment teeth

This study was aimed to assess the periodontal status of Saudi adult females who had received regular oral prophylaxis following the insertion of fixed partial dentures. The effects of sub- and supra-gingivally placed crown margins were also assessed. The study sample included 78 females who had fixed partial dentures made by senior students at the College of Dentistry of King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. From each study participant, two paired eligible sites, one for the abutment and one for the matched non-abutment teeth, were selected. The plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, tooth mobility and locations of the crown margins were assessed and recorded by one calibrated examiner. The abutment teeth scored significantly higher plaque and gingival indices and greater probing pocket depth than non-abutment teeth (p-value <0.05). In addition, the abutment teeth scored greatest mean values of the clinical parameters in subjects who were 46 year-old or older and those who had their functioning fixed partial dentures for more than 5 years. The teeth with supra-gingivally placed crown margins had significantly higher mean values of plaque index, gingival index and probing pocket depth than teeth with sub-gingival crown margins (p-value <0.05). The results of this study indicated that in subjects with fixed partial dentures, the abutment teeth are more prone to periodontal inflammation than the non-abutment teeth. Additionally, the individual’s age, duration of insertion of fixed partial dentures and location of the crown margins affect the periodontal health of the abutments.