The Retread: A Definition and Retrospective Analysis of 205 Implant-Supported Fixed Prostheses.

PURPOSE Acrylic resin teeth on fixed implant prostheses are subject to time-dependent wear. The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate and describe the management of such wear in the context of selected variables--patient gender and age, dental arch location, and opposing dentition. The clinical and dental laboratory process to replace the worn teeth is defined as a retread. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective database review from a single private prosthodontic practice was carried out on all patients who had undergone a retread procedure. The patient pool included 205 arches in 194 patients (70 in men, 135 in women) with a mean age of 57.4 years (range: 19.9 to 80.5 years). The retread procedure is described. RESULTS The mean time between final prosthesis delivery and retread was 7.8 years (range: 1.1 to 22.9 years). Statistical analysis was significant according to dental arch and opposing dentition. A statistical difference was also noted in patients undergoing multiple retread procedures, with a reduction in time between the subsequent procedures. CONCLUSION Acrylic resin components of implant-supported hybrid prostheses wear over time and are influenced by a combination of the nature of the opposing dentition and patient habits. The dental laboratory process to retread the implant-supported framework is important for long-term patient care and maintenance of an appropriate vertical dimension of occlusion.