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Objective: To determine the pattern of partial edentulism and the cast removable dental prosthesis design in relation to the Classes recorded. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Prosthodontics, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry (AFID), Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Apr to Sep 2021. Methodology: A total of 67 partially dentate male and female patients presenting to the Prosthodontics Department requiring partial cast dentures were included in the study. Visual inspection of the master casts and partial denture frameworks was carried out in the laboratory. Kennedy's Classification, modification areas, type of major connector, direct retainer, rest and use of indirect retention were recorded. Results: The most prevalent Class of partially dentate arch was Kennedy Class-II in maxilla 10 (45.5%) and Class-I and III in mandible 15 (33.3%) each. Major connectors most frequently encountered were anteroposterior palatal strap (59.1%) and lingual bar (57.8%). Circumferential clasp (35.8%) was the most used retainer type in Classes II and III, whereas RPI was mostly found in Classes I and II (32.1%). Occlusal rests were most commonly used (72.4%). Indirect retention was mostly used in Class-I and II denture frameworks (95.9%). Conclusion: The most commonly encountered partial edentulism pattern was Kennedy's Class I and II. Following basic principles of RPD design can help elevate the standards of removable denture treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabrication of a clinically successful dental prosthesis requires clear and effective communication between dentists and dental technicians. Adequate completion of work authorization by dentists provides a means for increased professional quality assurance and satisfaction in dental prosthesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of communication between dentists and dental technicians via work authorization for fixed and removable dental prosthesis in Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 6 months to assess the quality of communication between dentists and dental technicians. A well-constructed questionnaire regarding work authorization of removable and fixed prostheses was used as a tool to collect data from 453 dentists. A linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship of the independent and dependent variables. A p value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. It was observed that 92.1% of the dentists leave removable partial denture design to the dental technicians. About 56.5% of the dentists indicated information about base retention of partial dentures in work authorization. The majority of the dentists (56.5%) mentioned the material to be used for the construction of casting partial dentures. Nearly 66% of the dentists indicated the design of margins, and 44.6% of the dentists did not select the shade for fixed prostheses. Nearly 43% of the dentists did not draw the design of restoration, 21.9% chose to draw the design on paper, and 32.2% of the dentists drew the design on the cast. Meanwhile, 76.8% of the participants chose to directly communicate with their dental technicians personally. Nearly 41% of the dentists were satisfied with the restoration design, and 13.5% of the participants were not satisfied with the designs. Poor communication between dentists and technicians was observed, as the majority of the design decisions were left to the dental technicians. Therefore, communication between dentists and dental technicians should be improved by conducting combined workshops for the successful construction of dental prostheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the current trends in undergraduate teaching of removable partial prosthodontics in various dental colleges of Pakistan. Methodology: A cross‐sectional study was conducted in which a questionnaire was sent by email to head of Prosthodontics department of thirty‐one dental institutes of Pakistan. The survey included multiple questions regarding current trends in removable partial prosthodontics education in undergraduate dental colleges. Results: Out of thirty‐one questionnaires, twenty‐six were completely filled and returned. In 19 (73%) dental colleges, removable partial denture is taught over a period of at least two years of undergraduate education. Students of only six dental colleges fabricate 10–12 removable partial dentures during their Prosthodontic rotation. Lectures and live clinical demonstration for construction of removable acrylic dentures are reported to be carried out in all the dental schools. Simple hinge articulator is the articulator of choice in 22 (84.6%) colleges. Even though twenty‐four out of twenty‐six colleges (92.3%) teach fabrication of cast partial dentures in lectures, none of the student fabricate these dentures during their Prosthodontic rotation. Conclusion: This survey is the first to comprehensively report the teaching practices of removable denture Prosthodontics in undergraduate dental colleges of Pakistan. Faculty of all twenty‐six colleges give clinical demonstrations of acrylic partial denture construction before students start working in the dental OPD. Most of the dental colleges report use of similar impression materials and techniques in removable partial denture fabrication. More than 90% of dental colleges teach cast partial dentures theoretically, but their construction is grossly neglected in all the dental colleges. It is important that this skill is taught and practised by students in order to have the necessary skill set, so they can provide comprehensive treatment to partially dentate patients once they graduate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In developed countries, patients' factors and esthetic concerns have predominantly influenced prosthodontic treatments. The objective of this investigation was to see if such factors in local partially dentate patients influenced the clinicians' decision regarding the prostheses planned. Material & Methods: This was a descriptive study carried out in Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar from March to October 2007. Using a structured data collection-sheet, patient's data including gender, age, socio-economic status, educational level, oral-hygiene status, main concern of patients for consultation and the number, location and type of saddles in the jaws were all recorded. The type of prosthodontic service planned for each patient was also recorded. One investigator collected the required data from each of the 206 partially dentate patients by the method of direct interviewing. Results: Acrylic removable dental prostheses (RDPs) were more frequently provided than fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). No precision-retained or implant-supported prosthesis were planned. Irrespective of the type of prosthesis, the restoration of chewing function was the major concern of patients for consultation. Age, socioeconomic status, educational level and type of saddle in the maxilla influenced patients' treatment with RDPs. In comparison, better socioeconomic status and educational level were the reasons in case of planned FDPs. The reason for the planned FDPs in the maxilla was esthetics as compared to improvement in chewing function in case of the mandible. Conclusion: Acrylic RDPs were the most frequently planned prostheses. Patients; socioeconomic status and educational level and the type and location of saddle influenced the type of prosthesis planned for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]