Periodontal Health Status, Awareness, and Oral Hygiene Practices among Fixed and Removable Partial Denture Wearers in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

A bstract Aim: Partial dentures, whether fixed or removable, play a crucial role in restoring oral function and aesthetics in patients with partial edentulism. However, inadequate hygiene practices around these prostheses may lead to periodontal complications This study aimed to evaluate periodontal health status, oral hygiene practices, and awareness among fixed and removable partial denture wearers in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional clinical study was conducted among 298 adult patients attending the dental clinics of King Faisal University. Clinical assessments included the plaque index, gingival index, and calculus surface index. Participants also completed a structured questionnaire assessing demographics, hygiene behaviors, prosthesis type, and awareness. Statistical analyses were performed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine associations between hygiene practices and periodontal indices. Results: Among 298 participants, a high prevalence of suboptimal periodontal health was observed, with only 24.8%, 27.2%, and 36.2% scoring zero (healthy) on the plaque, gingival, and calculus indices, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that regular prosthesis cleaning was a significant protective factor against high plaque (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.51, P value = 0.032) and gingival indices (AOR = 0.54, P value = 0.024). Conversely, removable partial dentures were a significant independent risk factor for a high calculus index (AOR = 2.08, P value = 0.030) compared to fixed prostheses. Furthermore, a significant knowledge-practice gap was identified; while 71.5% believed prostheses need special care, 44.0% admitted to not cleaning theirs regularly. Conclusion: This study concludes that regular prosthesis cleaning and frequent tooth brushing are strongly associated with reduced risks of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. In contrast, the use of a removable partial denture is independently associated with a significantly higher risk of calculus formation. These findings highlight that while behavioral interventions are crucial for managing soft tissue health, the prosthesis type itself is a key determinant of hard deposit accumulation.