An overview of esthetics with removable partial dentures

Abstract

A removable partial denture should restore function, phonetics, and esthetics. To assist the clinician in providing a restoration that is as esthetic as possible, despite the limitations of the conventional removable partial denture, this review collates the recommendations scattered among the literature. The review describes the steps involved in providing an esthetic restoration, including diagnosis and treatment planning; surveying; mouth preparation; framework and clasp alloys; clasps; rests; major connectors; minor connectors; prosthetic teeth; and denture base resin and flanges. The esthetic challenges of the Kennedy Class IV removable partial denture are also discussed.