Purpose: To determine the influence of partial edentulous distal extension and the use of removable partial dental prostheses in partially edentulous areas on the force exerted on the anterior teeth.
Materials and methods: A total of 83 volunteer patients participated in this study. The occlusal force was measured using an occlusal force measuring sheet in the patient's mouth. The occlusal forces and ratios were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P < .05).
Results: The force exerted on the anterior teeth increased significantly as the number of remaining teeth decreased in an edentulous distal extension. The force exerted on the anterior teeth decreased significantly with the use of a removable partial dental prosthesis.
Conclusions: In a clinical setting, when the number of remaining teeth in a partial edentulous distal extension decreases, the burden on the anterior teeth increases. Our findings suggest that, for patients with partial edentulous distal extension, using a removable partial dental prosthesis is effective in preserving the residual anterior teeth by reducing excessive force.