Functional and esthetic rehabilitation of partial edentulism using dental bridges

Abstract

Background. Partial edentulism causes functional and aesthetic imbalances by reducing masticatory efficiency, producing occlusal changes, and affecting aesthetic perception, which frequently motivates patients to seek fixed prosthetic rehabilitation. Objective of the study: To evaluate the distinctive characteristics of the methods used for functional and aesthetic rehabilitation of partial edentulism by means of dental bridges. Material and methods. The study had a retrospective design and was conducted at the University Dental Clinic No. 2, Department of dental propedeutics “Pavel Godoroja”, during the period 2022–2026, through the analysis of a group of 16 patients with Kennedy Class III partial edentulism treated prosthetically with fixed dental bridges. The evaluation included clinical examination, paraclinical investigations (radiographs and study models), recording the data in the patients’ medical records, and the application of a questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction with the rehabilitation. Results. The retrospective study included 16 patients with partial edentulism rehabilitated with fixed dental bridges, with a mean age of 53 years. All cases were represented by intercalated edentulous spaces of Kennedy Class III and IV, with a predominance of Class III (75%) compared to Class IV (25%). Clinical and radiological examination revealed favorable conditions of the abutment teeth and appropriate marginal adaptation of the prosthetic restorations, without immediate complications. The level of patient satisfaction was high: 81.25% declared themselves very satisfied with the treatment, 87.5% reported an improvement in masticatory function, and 75% considered the aesthetic outcome to be very satisfactory. The results indicate the effectiveness of fixed dental bridges in the functional and aesthetic rehabilitation of intercalated edentulous spaces. Conclusions. Rehabilitation of Kennedy Class III partial edentulism with fixed dental bridges remains a frequently applied option aimed at restoring function and aesthetics, with the need for post-therapeutic monitoring and preventive measures to maintain periodontal health and reduce caries recurrence.