Treatment outcomes with mandibular removable partial dentures: A population-based study of patient satisfaction

Statement of problem. Little is known about the outcomes of treatment with mandibular removable partial dentures provided by dentists in private dental practice. Purpose. This study examined 15 aspects of patient satisfaction and explored the factors found to be associated with dissatisfaction. Material and methods. A questionnaire was mailed to people whose dental insurance claims included CPT Code 5214 within the last 5 years. A composite measure of treatment outcome was created by combining the responses to the 15 satisfaction items, and 10 factors were then tested statistically to determine their relationship to dissatisfaction. Results. A majority of the respondents were satisfied with the prosthesis, but a substantial amount of dissatisfaction existed. Dissatisfaction was greater when there was no previous wearing experience or when there was an opposing maxillary removable partial denture. Respondents under the age of 60 expressed more dissatisfaction than did those over the age of 60, and subjects with lower levels of general health also reported less satisfaction. One third of the respondents believed their prosthesis required adjustment or replacement, and one fourth said the removable partial denture had caused a problem with the natural teeth. Conclusion. A majority of survey respondents treated with a mandibular removable partial denture in private dental practice were satisfied with the prosthesis, but a substantial amount of dissatisfaction existed. Dissatisfaction was related to age, health, prior experience with a prosthesis, and the type of opposing dentition.