Patient and clinical evaluation of traditional metal and polyamide removable partial dentures in an elderly cohort

Purpose: To evaluate several clinical and functional parameters by administration of specific questionnaires to an elderly patient's cohort wearing three different types of removable partial denture (RPD): VALPLAST-RPD (Polyamide VALPLAST), CoCr-RPD (cobalt-chromium alloy), and PMMA-RPD (heat polymerized polymethyl methacrylate). Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty patients (mean age 73 years) were included in this study. All patients were treated with a removable partial denture for the maxillary arch. After 1 year of use, patients and clinicians were asked to compile specific questionnaire on patient satisfaction, including aesthetic, functional, and clinical outcomes. It was also evaluated whether the localization of the missing teeth according to Kennedy classification may affect these parameters. Categorical data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed by chi-squared test. Results: VALPLAST-RPD was the most satisfactory aesthetically. Nevertheless, patients of VALPLAST-RPD group reported increased difficulty in cleaning the prosthesis, roughness perceived by the tongue, and increased retention loss (p < 0.001). Patients with PMMA-RPD claimed a higher level of encumbrance (p < 0.001) and increased speech difficulties (p = 0.002). Clinically, patients of VALPLAST-RPD and PMMA-RPD groups displayed redness of the mucosa area around abutment teeth (p < 0.001). Patients of VALPLAST-RPD group had four cases of artificial teeth loss and two cases of discoloration. The position of missing teeth did not significantly influence any parameter. Conclusions: Each RPD material utilized may present advantages and disadvantages in an elderly population. VALPLAST-RPD may be recommended to older patients with non-extensive edentulous areas supported by anterior and posterior teeth, and not subjected to strong chewing loads. The main advantages are aesthetic satisfaction and easiness to insert and remove it.