Postinsertion adjustment appointments and their association with cast removable partial denture survival

Successful outcomes with cast removable partial dentures (RPDs) are dependent on adequate fabrication and adjustments at the delivery appointment. Evaluation of the number and frequency of postinsertion follow-up appointments helps determine whether the prosthesis continues to fit comfortably and whether function and esthetics continue to be satisfactory. Reports on the number of appointments and frequency and type of adjustments required for RPDs following insertion are sparse.The purpose of this university-based population study was to determine the number of appointments and type of adjustments following RPD insertion and their association with patient demographics, type of RPD, and denture survival.This retrospective clinical study examined the records of 257 patients at the University of Toronto, Faculty Dentistry, wearing 308 RPDs inserted between 2013 and 2014 with a 5-year follow-up. The outcome measures investigated included postinsertion appointments, type of adjustments, and denture survival.A total of 48.1% of the dentures (19.5% tissue supported; and 28.6% tooth supported) were maxillary, and 51.9% (34.7% tissue supported; and 17.2% tooth supported) mandibular. Most patients (68.9%) had 1 to 3 postinsertion appointments, with 78.6% having no major adjustments. Twenty-six dentures failed (failure rate 8.4%), with the failure-free time estimated at 4.58 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.42-4.73 years, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis). Failed dentures were significantly associated with more minor adjustments (Mean (M)=4.12, SD=3.90, Kruskal-Wallis (K-W) P=.027; OR=1.18; 95% CI 1.05-1.32, P=.006). More minor adjustments were needed for mandibular dentures (multivariable Poisson regression (MPR) P=.003) compared with maxillary dentures. More major adjustments were needed for maxillary dentures (MPR P=.030) compared with mandibular dentures. More minor and major adjustments were needed for dentures that were remade from within 5 years to beyond 10 years compared with first time denture wearers (MPR P<.001). Patients with musculoskeletal disorders required a significantly higher number of minor adjustments (M=3.67, MPR P<.001) and appointments (M=3.87, MPR P<.001) than those without these disorders.The 5-year survival of RPDs following insertion was estimated at 91.6%. Most patients required 1 to 3 appointments after insertion. Mandibular RPDs required significantly more minor adjustments, and maxillary RPDs more major adjustments. More minor and major adjustments were needed for dentures that were remade at any time previously compared with first time denture wearers.