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Biomedical subjects

R P Frank

Publications and source records attributed to R P Frank.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Relationship between the standards of removable partial denture construction, clinical acceptability, and patient satisfaction.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Little is known about the importance of published fabrication standards in determining the outcome of treatment with mandibular distal extension removable partial dentures in patients of community practices. PURPOSE: This study describes mandibular partial dentures worn by patients from King County, Wash., and examines the validity of standards of design and fabrication by relating the standards to measures of clinical acceptability and patient satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-two people treated in private dental practices who responded to a mail survey about satisfaction with a partial denture were examined. Eight standards of fabrication, overall clinical acceptability of the prosthesis, and tissue health were evaluated clinically. Patient satisfaction was assessed by questionnaire. Associations between variables were assessed by contingency tables and odds ratios. RESULTS: Half the prostheses met 4 or fewer of the 8 standards, and these were responsible for nearly all the displacement of tissue by the framework. Forty-three percent of the dentures (35/82) were rated clinically acceptable. Of the remaining dentures, 38 could be made acceptable by modifications. The remaining 9 dentures needed replacement. Sixty-three percent of the patients examined were satisfied with the dentures. There was a relationship between tissue health and the fabrication standards related to rest form, base extension, stress distribution, and framework fit. This study found no relation between tissue health and other design or fabrication features. None of the standards were found to be related to patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: This study found partial support for the validity of design/fabrication standards for removable partial dentures. The most important standards are rest form, base extension, and stress distribution. The standards appear to be unrelated to patient satisfaction.

Dental Stress Analysis↗

Treatment outcomes with mandibular removable partial dentures: a population-based study of patient satisfaction.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Little is known about the outcomes of treatment with mandibular removable partial dentures provided by dentists in private dental practice. PURPOSE: This study examined 15 aspects of patient satisfaction and explored the factors found to be associated with dissatisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to people whose dental insurance claims included CPT Code 5214 within the last 5 years. A composite measure of treatment outcome was created by combining the responses to the 15 satisfaction items, and 10 factors were then tested statistically to determine their relationship to dissatisfaction. RESULTS: A majority of the respondents were satisfied with the prosthesis, but a substantial amount of dissatisfaction existed. Dissatisfaction was greater when there was no previous wearing experience or when there was an opposing maxillary removable partial denture. Respondents under the age of 60 expressed more dissatisfaction than did those over the age of 60, and subjects with lower levels of general health also reported less satisfaction. One third of the respondents believed their prosthesis required adjustment or replacement, and one fourth said the removable partial denture had caused a problem with the natural teeth. CONCLUSION: A majority of survey respondents treated with a mandibular removable partial denture in private dental practice were satisfied with the prosthesis, but a substantial amount of dissatisfaction existed. Dissatisfaction was related to age, health, prior experience with a prosthesis, and the type of opposing dentition.

Denture, Partial, Removable↗

Direct retainers for distal-extension removable partial dentures.

Clinical observations at the University of Washington indicated that the wrought wire clasp assembly, the I-bar clasp assembly, and the L-bar clasp assembly yield similar results. A periodic recall system for patients with removable partial dentures has been in effect since 1976. Several thousand observations have been made by the faculty, and no special trend of problems has been noted that would cause one clasp assembly to be favored over another. These three types of clasp assemblies work satisfactorily when properly chosen and carefully applied.

Denture Bases↗

Clinical evaluation of removable partial denture rest seat adaptation.

The clinical relationship between the removable partial denture cast occlusal rest and the corresponding rest seat was examined. Under the conditions of the study, it was found that rests of mandibular Class I and II removable partial dentures fit significantly better than those of mandibular Class III and IV prostheses. No significant difference was noted between similar types of maxillary removable partial dentures in this regard. In evaluating the fit of specific portions of the occlusal rest, it was found that the marginal ridge zone was more closely adapted to the rest seat than other zones for all types of removable partial dentures. However, contact, as defined in this analysis, was found to exist on a random basis in all four quadrants of the occlusal rests evaluated. In spite of this fact, one fifth of the occlusal rests did not contact the opposing rest seat at any point. Improved fit with length of service was not substantiated by a cross-sectional analysis. Suggestions were made to assist the clinician in achieving a better fit between the framework and dentition in removable partial dentures.

Dental Abutments↗

An investigation of the effectiveness of indirect retainers.

A mandibular bilateral distal-extension base removable partial denture was lifted from a model under standardized conditions. The amount of denture base displacement under various loads and the forces of removal were measured electronically. The framework was constructed to allow repeated changes in the type of clasp, location of indirect retainer, and position of the rest seat on the terminal abutment tooth. The usefulness of an indirect retainer in preventing occlusal displacement of the denture base appears to be limited. The type of clasp had the greatest influence on the amount of denture base movement. Proximal surface guiding planes were also found to be important in preventing lifting of the denture base. Use of mesial instead of distal rests on the terminal abutment teeth did not decrease indirect retention.

Dental Abutments↗

Evaluating refractory cast wax-ups for removable partial dentures.

A review of the waxed refractory cast and blocked-out master cast by the dentist is an effective method for controlling the quality of framework castings. Major errors in wax-ups have been shown to occur frequently, but they are corrected easily if detected prior to casting. This critique can be incorporated readily into the private practice of dentistry.

Denture Design↗