50 Years of RPDs in Private Dental Practice

This short article is designed to bring greater awareness to the Dentist and the Dental Team. A few points in the treatment of a partially edentulous patient. Self-care and the ability of the patients to fully understand the function of a removable prosthesis are critical influential factors which sometimes may be overlooked when constructing a removable partial denture. The article concentrates on the lack of oral hygiene. After 50 years of RPDs in private dental practice it still seems to be still the most potent enemy of the restorative dentist. Why does the patient clean well enough the first two weeks and then his enthusiasm wanes and he returns to his old habits. Even three monthly visits to the hygienist do not seem to help. Much work and attention for the long term success of the RPD's should focus efforts to elicit best practices.