A case report of a removable denture using magnetic attachments for asuccessful prognosis of abutment teeth
M. SONE, M. HAMASAKA, F. NARUMI, T. MATSUKAWA, Y. OKAWA, S. SOMEKAWA, D.
MATSUMOTO, K. TAKAHASHI, Y. MIYOSHI, M. SUZUKI, T. YOSHIDA, K. OKAMOTO, and S.
OHKAWA
Division of Removable Prosthodontics, Department of Restorative and Biomaterials Sciences, Meikai
University School of Dentistry

Abstract
This report describes two clinical cases. In both cases, the abutment teeth that acted as retention elements
for the dentures were detached due to secondary caries and excessive occlusal force. The patients weredissatisfied with the retention of their denture. However, radiographic examination showed that the crownto-root ratio of the abutment teeth must be improved for a successful prognosis for the abutment teeth.
After the initial preparation, a removable overlay denture with coping-type magnetic attachments wasfabricated as a definitive prostheses, and keepers of the magnetic attachments were fixed to the remaining
radicular teeth. As a result, the crown-to-root ratios of the abutment teeth were improved, and patients’complaints of functional dissatisfaction were resolved.

Introduction
Magnetic attachments that have the significant feature of “retention without bracing” protect abutment
teeth from excessive occlusal force.1) Thus, coping-type magnetic attachments can be applied to abutment
teeth with decreased crown-to-root ratios.2) We report the clinical use of coping-type magnetic attachments
for successful prognoses of abutment teeth.

Case 1
Clinical History: The patient, a 65-year-old female, complained of aesthetic dissatisfaction andmasticatory dysfunction. The patient had a partially edentulous maxilla (Kennedy Class Ⅰ). At the initial
examination, a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown of #7 as an abutment tooth for a removable partial denture
was detached, and radiographic examination showed that #6 and #7 has unfavorable crown-to-root ratios(Fig.1). Poor health of the periodontal tissue was not evident.
Treatment Procedure: At first, a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown of #6 was removed, and coping-typemagnetic attachments that act as retention elements were applied to #6 and #7 (Fig.2). In this case report,
the magnetic attachments used were GIGAUSS C600® (GC, Japan).

Fig.2 Keepers of magnetic attachments
Fig.1 Intraoral view and dental radiographof #6 and 7 at the initial examination

As a definitive prosthesis, a maxillary removable overlay denture with a horseshoe plate as the majorconnector was fabricated. As a result, the patient’s complaints of aesthetic dissatisfaction and masticatory
dysfunction were resolved.

Fig.3 Intraoral view with a definitive prosthesis

Case 2Clinical History: The patient, a 71-year-old female, complained of masticatory dysfunction. The patient
had a mandibular removable partial denture (Kennedy Class Ⅱ). At the initial examination, a horizontal
crown fracture of #29 as an abutment tooth was caused by severe caries (Fig.4). The radiographic
examination showed that #29 had an unfavorable crown-to-root ratio (Fig.5). Poor health of theperiodontal tissue was not evident.
Treatment Procedure: After endodontic treatment (Fig.5), a coping-type magnetic attachment that acts asa retention element was applied to #29 (Fig.6). In this case report, the magnetic attachment used wasGIGAUSS D400® (GC, Japan). Keepers of the magnetic attachment were fixed with adhesive resin cement
on a metal coping by the KB method (RelyX™ Unicem 2 Automix, 3M™ ESPE™, USA). The magnetic
assembly was then attached to an additional tooth of the denture, which was still used after being repaired(Fig.7). As a result, the patient’s complaints of functional dissatisfaction were resolved (Fig.8).

Fig.4 Intraoral view at the initial examination

Fig.5 Dental radiograph (before and after endodontic treatment) Fig.6 Keeper of a magnetic attachment

Fig.7 Magnetic attachment treatment procedure

Fig.8 Intraoral view after prosthetic treatment

Conclusion
In the one year since final prosthetic treatment, no complications with dentures or abutment teeth haveoccurred. These results suggest that coping-type magnetic attachment could provide patients with
comfortable retention earlier and improve crown-to-root ratios of abutment teeth of successful prognoses.

References
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H. Mizutani: Characteristics and clinical indications of magnetic attachment, J Jpn Prosthodont Soc,
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