Distribution of Forces in Distal-Extension Removable Partial Dentures With and Without Retromolar Pad Coverage: A Pilot In Vivo Study

This study compared the distribution of forces in relation to the area covered by the denture base. Seven participants were fitted with a loading device on the maxilla and were guided to bite on an experimental mandibular denture. The denture base was progressively shortened from full coverage of the retromolar pad. One-way analysis of variance (P .05) was performed, and no significant difference was found among the four denture base lengths in relation to force distribution. Within the limitations of this study, the authors conclude that the area covered by the retromolar pad has little influence on force distribution during loading.