Talabani RM: Influence of Abutment Evaluation on Designing of Fixed Partial Denture

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate clinical, radiographic and mounted study cast assessment of the abutment on designing of fixed partial denture. Patient & method: The present study was limited to patients who treated by postgraduate students of Conservative Department, School of Dentistry/Faculty of Medical Sciences between January 2014 to February 2015. A total number of 104 case sheets of patient‟s age ranged from 16 years to 60 years and above with mean age 41 years and 48 male and 56 females. The evaluation performed on patients with at least 3 units fixed partial denture or a single crown with the presence of natural contra-lateral tooth/teeth. The assessment included a complete clinical and radiographic examination of abutment in terms of studying design of fixed partial denture, periodontium, caries, pulpal status and periapical area and mounted study cast made for the determination of the span length, abutment length, and position. Results: Out of the 104 patients who participated in this study, replacement of missing one tooth represent the most common type of fixed partial denture configuration (47.12 %) and complex missing one tooth represent least among all types of fixed partial denture design about (1.92%). The clinical evaluation of the (237) abutments (88.6 %) has revealed normal periodontium, (83.9 %) without any pulpal involvement, and (43.03 %) of the abutments has intact sound tooth structure with no any caries lesion. Radiographic assessment of the abutments (43.8%) has shown 1:2 crown to root ratio. On the mounted study cast evaluation, (83%) of the cases has adequate span length, (76.7 %) of the abutments has adequate length and (63.71 %) of the abutments has the normal status position. Conclusion: Evaluation of the abutment selection considered integral part of diagnosis and treatment planning in fixed partial denture.