Reinforcement in removable prosthodontics: a literature review

Abstract

Background

Removable prothodontics are often associated with mechanical troubles in daily use, such as fracture or deformation. These troubles render prostheses unusable and reduce wearers' QOL. Various reinforcements are used to prevent such problems, but consensus on reinforcement has not been reached.

Objective

This review aimed to summarize the effects of reinforcement, and to propose favorable reinforcement based on material, design, and position in the prostheses.

Methods

Initially, 139 articles were selected by electronic and manual searches. After exclusion of 99 articles based on the exclusion criteria, 40 articles were finally included in the review. Electronic searches were performed for articles published from 2005 to 2015 in PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane Library and manual searches were performed in 10 journals relevant to the topic of removable prosthodontics.

Results

For in vitro studies, certain dental alloys and fibers were mainly used. Their forms were different, including complicated forms in dental alloys and various forms in fibers. The materials were examined for mechanical properties like fracture strength, flexural strength, and elastic modulus, and compared with one another or without reinforcement. There were a few clinical studies and one longitudinal study.

Conclusion

Cast metal reinforcement seemed to be most favorable in terms of fracture toughness and stiffness. The most favorable forms differed depending on the prostheses, but placement around thin and deformable areas was effective. However, randomized or longitudinal clinical reports and comparative clinical studies on the use of reinforcement were still lacking and such studies are necessary in the future.

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