Occurrence and type of complications associated with mandibular bilateral removable partial denture: Prospective cohort data

Purpose. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and type of complications with mandibular Kennedy Class I removable partial denture (RPD) over time. Materials and Methods. A total of 65 patients wearing mandibular free-end RPD and maxillary complete denture (CD) treated at the Department of Dentistry of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) were evaluated. The tests were conducted after 2, 6 and 12 months. Annual follow-up was also accomplished after the 12-month evaluation. Complications or failures were recorded in a specific clinical report over 39 months. The failures were classified as: ulceration after 2 months of denture insertion, loss of retention, fracture or caries in rest seat, fracture or displacement of artificial teeth, fracture of a major connector, fracture of a clasp, fracture of the rest, relining and fracture of the denture. Results. Low complication rate was reported and most of the cases occurred after 2 years of denture insertion. Loss of retention was the most common complication (31.57%). Fracture of the metallic framework components was not a frequent occurrence and only one patient reported a fracture of a major connector (5.3%). Conclusion. The treatment with mandibular free-end RPD showed low failure rates after 39 months of periodical follow-up.