Purpose: The goal of this study was the radiographic evaluation of the premolar tooth abutment alveolar bone resorption in mandibular bilateral distal extension RPD utilizing the broad stress distribution philosophy either designed with multiple circlet clasp or compound clasp.
Materials and Methods: 12 patients were selected for this study with upper completely edentulous arch against mandibular bilateral distal extension ridges posterior to the second premolar. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the type of the clasp assembly design used. Where the mandibular distal extension removable partial denture designed with multiple circlet clasp and compound clasp assemblies for group I and Group II respectively. The abutment alveolar bone resorption were evaluated radiographically after 1st 6 months, 2nd 6 months and 12 months of mandibular bilateral distal extension RPD insertion.
Results: 1) Second premolar abutment interdental alveolar bone resorption was significantly increased compared to first premolar abutment along the interval period of the study for group I. The reverse was observed for group II. 2) Along the interval period of the study the alveolar bone resorption at first premolar abutment of group II was significantly increased compared to that of group I. While the reverse was observed when comparing second premolar of group I with that of group II.
Conclusions:Compound Aker clasp is superior to multiple Aker clasp assembly as it reduce abutment alveolar bone resorption where broad stress distribution philosophy is considered for distal extension cases.