Abstract

Purpose Are the unilateral removable dentures a short or a long-time treatment option? Materials and methods: 13 were treated with unilateral and 13 with bilateral (control group) removable dentures. The inclusion criteria were: 1. Kennedy class II or class III; 2.the impossibility of realizing implant supported dentures; 3. recalls every 6 months; 4. direct reline every 12 months. The exclusion criteria were: 1. missing the recalls; 2. missing the reline appointments. The examined aspects were: maintenance of the occlusal contacts and the masticatory function; maintenance of the periodontal health of the abutment teeth; fractures of the removable dentures, of the connectors or chipping of the ceramics; comfort of the patients (1- poor, 2 -acceptable, 3- good, 4- very good, 5 -exceptional). Results After the first 4 check –ups the situation was: 1. the masticatory function and the occlusal contacts were well for all the patients were; 2. the periodontium of the abutment teeth was healthy; 3. there were no fissures/fractures; 4. in 2 cases the retentive caps of the special system were replaced; 5. the comfort of the patients was 4 (76%) and 5 (24%) for the unilateral RPD and 2 (15.38%), 3 (61.53) and 4 (23.07%) for the control group Conclusion According to the follow-up period, the unilateral removable partial dentures on extra coronal resilient attachments are viable treatment alternatives.

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