Component failure in removable partial dentures for patients with severe hypodontia.

Removable partial dentures (RPDs) are frequently used in the treatment of severe hypodontia. The failure rates and modes of failure of 138 such prostheses incorporating acrylic resin onlays were assessed in a retrospective survey. Failures primarily occurred either early or late in the life of the prostheses. Particular problems identified were the low wear resistance of acrylic resin onlays and poor fixation of resin components to metal bases, especially when space was limited.