Introduction to RPDs Flashcards
What are RPDs used for?
Restore dental arch that has one or more remaining teeth
What are complete dentures used for?
Restore dental arch with no remaining teeth
What is the term used to describe a dental arch with no remaining teeth?
Edentulous
Describe how tooth loss can affect an individual
- It can affect self-confidence and impact psychological state of individuals
- It may impair oral function
Describe some basic trends of adult dental health surveys in terms of dentition
- Adults with no natural teeth are concentrated in older age groups
- Tooth loss varies by gender and social class
- Around 1/5 people in UK wear some form of removable prosthesis
What is a functional dentition defined as by WHO?
Containing a minimum of 20 teeth
How is a functional dentition usually seen?
2nd premolar to 2nd premolar
What constitutes a shortened dental arch?
At least 2 posterior occluding units on either side of the jaw
What are the 3 ways a shortened dental arch will maintain oral health?
- Risk of tooth wear
- Provision of adequate masticatory function
- Risk of myogenic TMD or TMJ pathology
Name 5 benefits of replacing teeth
- Aesthetics
- Speech
- Mastication
- Maintenance of dental health
- Psychological
Name 3 ways which dental health can be maintained by replacing teeth
- Maintain stability of dentition to prevent over-eruption and drifting leading to caries risk factors
- Prevention of wear of anterior teeth through loss of posterior support
- Prevent potential TMD
Name 5 means of replacing teeth
- Removable prostheses
- Fixed prostheses
- Implants
- Orthodontics
- Masterly inactivity
What is masterly inactivity?
Providing no treatment if it is the right thing to do
What are 3 potential risks of a denture?
- Oral hygeine
- Periodontal status
- Caries status
What are 4 factors influencing the decision to provide a denture, not including risk factors?
- Patient’s wishes
- Missing teeth
- Operatory competency
- Cost
What are 3 advantages of RPDs?
- Permanently retained
- Small in bulk
- Ideal biomechanics
What are 4 disadvantages of FPDs?
- Difficult to clean
- Extensive preparations
- Difficult to repair
- Expensive
What are 4 general considerations when prescribing partial dentures?
- Only treat if indicated
- Restore edentulous areas only when necessary
- Major connectors should widely clear both teeth and gingival margin
- Utilise tooth support
What is the best denture base if possible?
Cobalt-Chrome
Give an example of a type of a denture which maximises risks
Flexible denture covering many gingival margins and applying unknown forces to gingival and soft tissues
Describe the usual sequence in patient management in RPD provision
- Assessment (diagnosis)
- Treatment plan
- Establish dental health
- Denture construction
- Instruction in care and recall
Describe treatment planning for RPDs
- Pain relief, prevention and caries control
- Initial prosthodontics
- Surgery / Periodontics / Orthodontics / Restorative
- Definitive prosthodontics
What is involved in initial prosthodontics in treatment planning for RPDs?
- Treating tissue damage caused by denture
- Correct occlusal or extension errors
- Interim denture
- Carry out preliminary design
What is involved in surgery in treatment planning for RPDs?
Extractions or alveoplasty
