Occlusal force and occlusal contact reestablishment with resin-bonded fixed partial dental prostheses using the Dahl concept: A clinical study

Space creation for a metal retainer of the resin-bonded fixed partial dental prostheses (RBFPDPs) with the Dahl concept remains controversial because of the lack of clinical studies. The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate the occlusal force and occlusal contact reestablishment of RBFPDPs cemented at an increased occlusal vertical dimension (the Dahl concept) and to evaluate the factors affecting them. A prospective clinical study was carried out on 28 participants receiving cantilevered RBFPDPs at an increased occlusal vertical dimension at the Faculty of Dentistry, University Teknologi MARA. Maximum occlusal forces were recorded at precementation, postcementation, and 12-week review visit by using pressure indicating film, while occlusal contact reestablishment was assessed at the precementation stage and 12-week review visit by using shim stock foils. The Wilcoxon signed-rank and chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis (α=.05). Significant differences were found for maximum occlusal force between the precementation and the postcementation and between the postcementation and the 12-week review of RBFPDPs (P.05). Overall, occlusal force was reestablished after 12 weeks, and occlusal contact was completely reestablished in most participants after placement of RBFPDPs at an increased occlusal vertical dimension.