The purpose of this study was to clarify the change of abutment teeth mobility by insertion of partial dentures for a short period.
Twenty patients who received partial dentures at the Dental Clinic of Niigata University School of Dentistry, between August and November 1994, were selected.
To evaluate changes in tooth mobility, the Periotest (PT) value of 49 abutment teeth within 3 months after initial insertion were measured and the following factors were analyzed.
1. change in PT value of all abutment teeth
2. change in PT value of upper abutment teeth
3. change in PT value of lower abutment teeth
4. the relationship between the type of edentulous space, the type of clasp and the amount of PT value change
The results were as follows:
1. PT value of all abutment teeth decreased after insertion of the dentures.
2. PT value of upper abutment teeth showed no significant change within 3 months after initial insertion of the dentures.
3. PT value of lower abutment teeth decreased from 2 weeks after insertion, and these decreases were clearly detected in free-end dentures.
4. PT value of lower abutment teeth of free-end dentures decreased irrespective of the type of the clasp.