Improving Oral Health-Related Quality of Life by Converting Fractured Abutment Teeth in Double Crown-Retained Removable Prostheses into Root-Anchored Ball Attachments.

To investigate changes in oral health prior to and after conversion of fractured abutment teeth in double crown-retained removable dental protheses (DC-RDPs) into root-anchored ball attachments. Twenty patients were supplied with one root-anchored ball attachment after abutment tooth fracture. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) was completed by the patients prior to and after treatment to assess changes in perceived oral health. Changes in OHIP were statistically and clinically significant (28.90 points prior to treatment and 13.80 points after treatment), especially in cases with a minor number of remaining double crowns. The conversion of fractured abutment teeth in DC-RDPs into root-anchored ball attachments can be an effective strategy for improving perceived oral health.