IMPACT OF MARGINAL CONTACT OF REMOVABLE ACRYLIC PARTIAL DENTURES ON PERIODONTAL PARAMETERS

AIM to assess the periodontal parameters, plaque score, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, gingival recession and loss of attachment of teeth in contact with removable partial dentures and to compare them with teeth in the contra lateral side of the same arch not in contact with the acrylic resin base. METHODS Sample consisted of 46 partially edentulous patients. Maxillary acrylic partial dentures which were designed as the gingival margin of two teeth on one side of the arch was in contact with the acrylic resin base (control side). The same teeth on contra lateral side of the arch were kept relieved from the denture base. Initial periodontal assessment with plaque score (PLS), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival recession (GR) and loss of attachment (LOA) was carried out. All patients were periodontally assessed after denture insertions. RESULTS Measurements for periodontal parameters were increased significantly at 3 and 6 months of denture wearing in the control side. The changes of all parameters in the test side were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Acrylic partial dentures tend to adversely affect periodontal parameters when teeth are in contact with resin base. This effect is increased with longer duration of RPD wear.