What is a significant concern with free standing RPD abutment teeth during loading?

The significant concern with free standing RPD abutment teeth during loading is the binding and torquing forces. When an RPD is in function, forces are applied to the abutment teeth. If these abutments are free standing, they do not have adjacent support, which makes them more susceptible to being affected by uneven forces exerted during chewing or other functional movements. This can lead to binding, where the RPD components may not seat properly during loading, and torquing forces that may twist or rotate the abutment teeth rather than distributing the forces evenly across all supporting structures. Such forces can compromise the stability of the prosthesis and potentially lead to periodontal issues for the abutment teeth over time if not managed correctly. In contrast, concerns like tooth decay, excessive mobility, and alignment issues, while they can be relevant in dentistry, do not specifically highlight the unique challenges posed by free standing abutment teeth under loading conditions.