Distribution and preferences of conventional fixed dental prostheses among patients at the National Referral Hospital, Bhutan

Abstract

Introduction: Structural defects in teeth significantly impact oral health, leading to broader implications for an individual’s overall well-being. Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns and bridges are the preferred forms of fixed dental prostheses (FDP) for restoring lost form, function, and aesthetics of the missing or damaged tooth/teeth. This study aimed to investigate the distribution pattern and proportions of FDP across genders, age groups, types of teeth, and jaw locations. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of records of dental prostheses availed at the National Referral Hospital from July 2016 to June 2021. Specific data on FDP were extracted and utilized for the analysis. Results: The median age of patients was 33 (23 - 41) years for females and 37 (26 - 50) years for males. Female patients accounted for the majority of FDP recipients, consisting of 56.7% of the total cases. Posterior crowns (80.7%) and, anterior bridges (48.7%) are the most prevalent FDP types. In the upper jaw, a significant proportion of FDP consisted of posterior crowns (70.5%) and, anterior bridges (55.9%). In contrast, the lower jaw predominantly received more crowns (96.0%) and bridges (49.3%) in the posterior region. Conclusions: FDP are prevalent among female patients with a lower median age. Anterior bridges restoring aesthetics are more prevalent in the upper jaw, whereas the bridges and crowns for posterior teeth are more in the lower jaw. Dental practitioners can tailor treatment approaches to meet patient expectations, whether to focus on aesthetics or functionality.