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A REVIEW OF CLINICAL APPLICATION OF NON-METAL CLASP REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES
Abstract
Introduction: Partial edentation is a common clinical situation in adult patients over the age of 40; treatment demands are frequently between 40-50 years for women and 50-60 years for men. Esthetics is a matter of great distress for patients receiving dental treatment, especially prosthetic treatment. Non-metal clasp dentures may be proposed as an alternative. “Non-metal clasp denture” is referred as the generic name of removable partial dentures (RPDs) with retentive elements (resin clasps) made of thermoplastic resin. Non-metal clasp dentures are classified into two types: one with a flexible structure that lacks a metal framework and the other having a rigid structure that includes a metal framework. The aims of this paper are to provide an overview of clinical application of non-metal clasp removable partial dentures. Methods: A literature review on the topic was performed. The initial review was of PubMed for English-language studies published from 2012 to 2017, using the search terms “non-metal clasp denture”. Secondary literature searching was then performed. It included conference abstracts, books and online publications as well as papers in journals. Results: There is almost no evidence-based information in the relevant literature concerning clinical performance, follow-up or incidence data for the non-metal removable partial dentures. Most relevant articles emphasis on evaluation of the physicomechanical properties of thermoplastic material used in manufacturing these dental prosthesis or clinical cases. Conclusions: Non-metal clasp dentures have the following advantages: are aesthetic -the clasps have the color of the teeth, are biologically best tolerated by the body because it does not contain acrylate and therefore does not irritate the mucosa; dental dentures that contain no metal at all eliminate concerns about metal allergy (the base is made of acrylic dental material); depending on the clinical situation, special maintenance and support systems can be applied; are flexible and does not break under the action of the masticatory forces; are more easily accepted by the patient. Non-metal clasp dentures are not recommended as definitive dentures, except for limited cases such as patients with a metal allergy and where patients will not accept metal clasps for esthetic reasons. Non-metal clasp dentures follow the same design principles as conventional removable partial dentures using metal clasps. In view of the appearance of the partial edentation in senior patients, treatment should be simple, efficient and inexpensive, thus ensuring the material access to the flexible prosthesis.
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