ON FUNCTIONAL STRAIN IN SOME FIXED AND REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES - AN EXPERIMENTAL INVITRO STUDY

An 11-unit fixed maxillary reconstruction with 2 bilateral cantilever pontics in combination with a removable partial denture (RPD) with a p alatal bar was fabricated. The RPD was retained to the fixed reconstru ction with precision attachments. A laboratory model system was constr ucted in such a manner that the mechanical properties of the biologic supporting tissues involved were simulated by artificial materials. By means of a strain-gauge technique the deformation was studied in both the fixed and the removable partial denture. In different laboratory loading situations with and without the RPD the deformation in the fix ed dental appliance was more extensive and more complex when the RPD w as excluded.