A simplified and evidence-informed approach to designing removable partial dentures. Part 3. The biomechanical basis of retention

For many decades the literature has regularly reported that there is a discrepancy between what is taught in dental school and what is practised, especially in the field of removable partial dentures. Not only that, but for more than 60 years reports from around the world have shown that, usually, most clinicians abdicate their responsibility to design a removable partial denture (RPD) and instead leave this to the dental technician, who has no knowledge of the clinical condition of the patient and works only from a cast. The majority of patients around the world who require RPDs to improve aesthetics and chewing can only afford a removable prosthesis simply because the majority are poor. But RPDs can improve these aspects and contribute to an improved quality of life