It can be esthetically and financially daunting for patients to lose teeth in an anterior region of the mouth. For these patients, traditional treatment options presented in the past have included fixed partial denture, implants, and conventional removable partial denture (RPD). For patients faced with financial, anatomical, and/or esthetic limitations, the edentulous region can be restored successfully with a rotational path RPD. Rotational path RPD designs have often been overlooked by the dental profession due to its complex concepts involving the prosthetic design and sensitive laboratory techniques. With better understanding of the concepts and design, the dental clinician can deliver the highest esthetic outcome in compromised areas in which other treatment options may often face limitations. This paper reviews the method used to esthetically design and plan a posterior-anterior rotational path RPD in an edentulous mandibular anterior region for a patient missing the mandibular incisors.
Clinical significance: Due to inadequate understanding of the mechanics of rotational path RPDs, many clinicians have not adapted the application of this advantageous prosthesis. When correctly designed and fabricated, the rotational path RPD provides improved esthetics, cleanliness, and retention for patients who may not be suitable candidates for implants or fixed partial dentures in tooth-supported edentulous regions.