Cephalometric evaluation of maxillary complete, mandibular fixed-removable partial prosthesis: a 5-year longitudinal study.

Lateral cephalometric films were obtained from 10 subjects treated with maxillary complete dentures opposed to bar-supported mandibular removable partial dentures. The amount of bone resorption was determined following a 5-year period of denture use. In the maxilla, slight resorption was observed; a considerable amount had taken place in the mandible. Comparing the results of previous studies with the present one, it is suggested that bar-supported mandibular free-end saddle partial denture design has beneficial effects in terms of reduced bone resorption.