Fixed Partial Dentures vs Implants in Replacement of Single Missing Tooth in University Hospital Setting - A Retrospective Study

Abstract

The goal of prosthetic treatment is to restore the normal function, contour and comfort of the teeth. In replacement of anteriors enormous effort is required to bring up aesthetics whereas in posterior teeth replacement effort to replace the function should not be compromised. This study aims to evaluate the preference of FPD and implants in replacement of single lower anterior teeth. A retrospective data collection was done by collecting and reviewing 86000 case sheets of the outpatients department. The study period was about 10 months. Inclusion criteria & exclusion criteria were available. Parameters were tabulated and analysed using SPSS software. There were totally 667 patients treated for replacement of a single missing tooth in the study period. Among these 346 were males and 321 were females.90% of both the population irrespective of age and gender had been preferring fixed partial dentures in replacement of single missing tooth. This study is in consensus with existing literature that fixed partial dentures are widely used for the replacement of single teeth. However, though not statistically significant,10-20% of our study group still preferred to be treated with conventional fixed partial denture treatment. Whether systemic health issues or socioeconomic reasons played a role in the choice of treatment needs to be further evaluated with larger sample size and multicentre studies among our population.