Diana Blăniță, Vlad Constantin, Forna Norina
ABSTRACT
The preservation of periodontally compromised teeth has become a central objective in contemporary prosthodontic rehabilitation. Owing to advances in periodontal therapy, many teeth with reduced periodontal support can now be successfully maintained and incorporated into removable partial denture (RPD) treatment. Nevertheless, periodontal attachment loss, increased tooth mobility, and altered stress distribution may compromise the long-term prognosis of abutment teeth, particularly in distal extension situations. This narrative review evaluates the biological characteristics of periodontally compromised abutment teeth and examines the biomechanical principles underlying stress-releasing clasp designs in removable partial denture therapy. Special emphasis is placed on the biomechanical challenges associated with distal extension RPDs and on the role of wrought-wire clasps, Rest–Proximal Plate–I-bar (RPI) systems, and Rest–Proximal Plate–Akers (RPA) systems in controlling force transmission to the supporting dentition. The reviewed literature indicates that stress-releasing clasp assemblies may reduce torque, lateral loading, and stress concentration around terminal abutments by allowing controlled disengagement of retentive components during functional loading. Such biomechanical behavior appears particularly advantageous in patients with compromised periodontal support, where excessive forces may accelerate attachment loss and tooth mobility. However, prosthetic design alone cannot ensure favorable outcomes, as long-term success remains dependent on periodontal stability, effective plaque control, and regular maintenance care. Stress-releasing clasp designs should therefore be considered an important component of the interdisciplinary management of partially edentulous patients with a history of periodontitis. Emerging digital workflows, finite element analysis, and personalized prosthodontic approaches may further improve abutment preservation and optimize future RPD design.
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