evaluation of the defects of removable partial dentures’ (rpd) frameworks made in prosthodontics department of qazvin dentistry school regarding retention, stability, and support

background:  the metal  framework  of a removable partial denture includes various parts and metal components that supply strength, retention, stability ,  and support of partial denture.  the purpose of this study is assessing the quality of the frameworks made in  the  department of prosthodontics, qazvin school of  dentistry , regarding  their causes of malfunction,  retention, stability ,  and support. material s  and methods:   e valuation form s  of removable partial denture metal framework s  for upper and lower jaws were separately designed. according to th e f orms, 39 framework s were fitted and assessed  on encoded cast s and after that in oral cavity . results:  11 males and 2 8 females ( 44±4.8 years  old ) were recruited in the study ; 17 frameworks belonged to  maxilla  and  22 to mandible. in maxillary frameworks , 10 cases (58.8%) had  good retention, 6 (35.3%) had low  and 1 (5.9 % )  had high retention. moreover,  15 cases (88.2 % ) and 11   cases (71 . 64 % ) showed good support  and  stability , respectively, in all 3  hypothetical axes.  in mandibular frameworks ,  retentio ns in 14 cases (63.3%) were  goo d, in 7 (8.31%) were  low and  in 1 (4.6 % )   was high.  furthermore,  16 cases (72.7 % ) and 12 cases (54.5 % ) showed good support and  stability ,  respectively, in all hypothetical axes. conclusion:  the  retention, stability and support of  metal frameworks were approximately acceptable and appropriate .  most of the malfunctions and structural problems seem to be due to lack of experience and expertise. however, furt her studies  and more training courses  are needed to  enhance the quality of these frameworks.