RETENTION OF PROSTHESIS IN DIFFERENT PARTIALLY EDENTULOUS SITUATIONS

The management of partially edentulous state presents with an array of various treatment options. All prostheses are fabricated to rehabilitate and restore the above and require support from remaining teeth and tissues. This consequently demands appropriate application of knowledge and critical thinking to ensure the best possible outcome. Although the prosthesis should serve the needs of the patient, it also has to meet the basic objectives of the prosthodontic treatment i.e. the elimination of oral disease to the greatest extent possible to restore oral functions. It should be comfortable, esthetically pleasing and should not interfere with the patient¿s speech. To achieve this prosthesis should be stable, retentive and harmonious with the oral environment. Optimal outcome of prosthesis in a partially edentulous mouth depends on successful integration of the prosthesis with the patient¿s oral function and psychodynamic acceptance.. Retention is defined as that quality inherent in the dental prosthesis acting to resist the forces of dislodgment along the path of placement (GPT8).