Prevalence of fixed partial dentures & their complications in OPG radiographs from Herat, Afghanistan (2023-2024)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58342/MJ.V.3.I.2.15Keywords:
Prevalence, Fixed partial denture, OPG radiographyAbstract
Background and Objective: Fixed dental prostheses (FDPs), including crowns and bridges, are widely used to restore function and aesthetics in partially edentulous patients. While international studies have documented their prevalence and complications, there is limited epidemiological data from Afghanistan. Understanding the distribution and performance of FDPs in Herat provides valuable insight into local oral health needs and aligns regional findings with global standards.
Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study analyzed 800 panoramic radiographs (OPGs) randomly selected from 10,842 images recorded at the Razi Radiography Center between 2023–2024. Inclusion criteria required patients aged 20 years or older with complete demographic data and acceptable image quality. Data were processed using SPSS version 26 and Chi-square tests were applied to assess the relationship between age and the presence of fixed prostheses, as well as between cantilever and secondary caries in abutments, focusing on the presence of restorations, secondary caries, apical radiolucency, and cantilever prostheses.
Result: Among the study population, 45.25% had at least one fixed prosthesis (95% CI : 42-49). Individuals aged 30 years had the highest presence among participant. Secondary caries beneath FDPs were present in 25.87% of cases, with most patients exhibiting only one lesion. Apical radiolucency was detected in 13.50% of individuals. Cantilever restorations were relatively uncommon, observed in 11.25% of participants, with most cases limited to a single unit. The Chi-square test revealed a statistically significant association between the presence of FPDs and the age of patients and also between presence of cantilever prosthesis and the secondary caries of abutments tooth.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that FDPs are prevalent in Herat and generally perform well, with complication rates comparable to international reports. While most restorations function without major issues, a subset of patients experienced caries or periapical pathology, underscoring the importance of proper prosthesis design, clinical expertise, and patient education. Broader multicenter studies are recommended to provide a more comprehensive understanding of prosthetic outcomes in Afghanistan.
References
Libby G, Arcuri MR, LaVelle WE, Hebl L. Longevity of fixed partial dentures. The Journal of prosthetic dentistry. 1997;78(2):127-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3913(97)70115-x
Chandranaik MB, Thippanna RK. Fixed partial denture failures: a clinical survey for evaluation of the factors responsible. CODS-Journal of Dentistry. 2019;9(2):41-5. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10063-0031
Wolleb K, Sailer I, Thoma A, Menghini G, F Hämmerle CH. Clinical and radiographic evaluation of patients receiving both tooth-and implant-supported prosthodontic treatment after 5 years of function. International Journal of Prosthodontics. 2012;25(3). https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-62920
elsawaay S. Radiographical outcomes of fixed dental prosthesis abutment teeth (Retrospective study. Seham Elsawaay . 2019;17.
Alsterstål-Englund H, Moberg L-E, Petersson J, Smedberg J-I. A retrospective clinical evaluation of extensive tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses after 10 years. The Journal of prosthetic dentistry. 2021;125(1):65-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prosdent.2019.10.009
Hussein Kamel J. Radiographical Evaluation of Bone Resorption Around Fixed Prosthodontics. Acta scientific medical sciences. 2020;4(6):149-57. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.14690.76481
Alenezi A, Alsalhi H. Influence of material, design, and patient factors on long-term outcomes of anterior fixed dental prostheses: A retrospective clinical study. J Prosthet Dent. 2026;135(3):552.e1-.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prosdent.2025.10.033
Hjerppe J, Ioannidis A, Valdés AM, Thoma DS, Jung RE, Palma CMB, et al. Posterior monolithic 3-unit zirconia fixed dental prostheses: one-year interim results of a multicenter randomized clinical trial. J Dent. 2025;160:105900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2025.105900
Ayhan B, Ayan E, Atsü S. Detection of dental caries under fixed dental prostheses by analyzing digital panoramic radiographs with artificial intelligence algorithms based on deep learning methods. BMC Oral Health. 2025;25(1):216. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05577-3
Bekiroglu N, Mete S, Ozbay G, Yalcinkaya S, Kargul B. Evaluation of panoramic radiographs taken from 1,056 Turkish children. Nigérian journal of clinical practice. 2015;18(1):8-12. https://doi.org/10.4103/1119-3077.146965
Türker N, Özarslan M, Büyükkaplan Ş, Özarslan M. Radiographical Assessment of Fixed Partial Denture Abutment Teeth. Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University. 2019;26(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.427172
Yamanel K, Arhun N, Arikan S. Assessment of 3,031 panoramic radiographs in an urban Turkish population: a community survey. Oral Radiology. 2009;25(1):30-6. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj. 438939
Näpänkangas R, Haikola B, Oikarinen K, SÖDERHOLM AL, Remes‐Lyly T, Sipilä K. Prevalence of single crowns and fixed partial dentures in elderly citizens in the southern and northern parts of Finland. Journal of oral rehabilitation. 2011;38(5):328-32. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2842.2010.02159.x
Konishi M, Verdonschot RG, Kakimoto N. An investigation of tooth loss factors in elderly patients using panoramic radiographs. Oral radiology. 2021;37(3):436-42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-020-00475-6
Şain SC, Özdede M. Analysis of digital panoramic imaging findings of completely edentulous patients applying for prosthetic treatment. Annals of Medical Research. 2020. https://doi.org/10.5455/annalsmedres.2020.04.391
Almohefer SA, Alkattan RK, Aljohani LT, Alhumayan FF, Aldoghyeman FZ, Tamim H, Madfa AA. Radiographic Evaluation of Fixed Prosthesis in the Ha’il Province of Saudi Arabia. The Open Dentistry Journal. 2024;18(1). https://doi.org/10.2174/0118742106349735241031061135
Kohli S, et al. Pulpal and Periapical Status of the Vital Teeth Used as Abutment for Fixed Prosthesis—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Prosthodontics. 2022;31(2):102-114. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopr.13433
Alfadhli R, Alshammari Y, Baig MR, Omar R. Clinical outcomes of single crown and 3-unit bi-layered zirconia-based fixed dental prostheses: an upto 6-year retrospective clinical study. Journal of Dentistry. 2022;127:104321.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104321
Alenezi A, Aloqayli S. Technical complications with tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) of different span lengths: an up to 15-year retrospective study. BMC Oral Health. 2023;23:393. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03121-9
Montero E, Molina A, Palombo D, Morón B, Pradíes G, Sanz-Sánchez I. Efficacy and risks of tooth-supported prostheses in the treatment of partially edentulous patients with stage IV periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 2022;49(Suppl 24):182-207.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 محمدرضا احمدی،عزیر عرفان،ضیاالدین هاشمی،سید مهدی حسینی
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
