THE INFLUENCE OF END ABUTMENT AND CANTILEVER FIXED PARTIAL DENTURES ON PERIODONTAL HEALTH

The influence of end abutment and cantilever fixed partial dentures on periodontal health was examined in 12 patients with periodontally red uced residual dentition. The prosthetic appliances had been integrated for 4 to 6 years before the first follow-up examination and had no te chnical defects at baseline. Two follow-up examinations were performed at a 12-month interval to record clinical and microbiologic parameter s of 62 abutment teeth, 45 of which were fitted with end abutment fixe d partial dentures and 17 with cantilever fixed partial dentures. Both types of fixed partial dentures were represented in ail patients. The patients were on a 6 to 8-week recall schedule throughout the study p eriod and had good oral hygiene. At both examinations, subgingival pla que samples were taken at all proximal surfaces and evaluated by dark- field microscopy The clinical parameters used were Gingival Index Plaq ue Index, pocket probing depth, and attachment level. The results show ed that both types of fixed partial dentures were compatible with peri odontal health subject to optimal oral hygiene. The clinical parameter s recorded remained stable at a very low level throughout the study pe riod and were almost identical in both groups. A slight gain in clinic al attachment level with a mean value of 0.19 mm for abutment teeth fi tted with cantilever fixed partial dentures and of 0.32 for end abutme nt fixed partial dentures, was registered during the study period. The composition of the subgingival plaque showed a microflora reflecting virtually health periodontal conditions. The proportion of motile rods and spirochetes was slightly elevated in both groups. in conclusion, it can be stated that both fixed partial denture types display identic al characteristics in the periodontally damaged dentition and do not l ead to deterioration of the periodontal situation if oral hygiene is c losely monitored.