Frequency and Spectrum of Pre-Prosthetic Procedures Involving Abutment Teeth in Partially Edentulous Patients Undergoing Rehabilitation with Fixed Dental Prostheses at Bacha Khan College of Dentistry, Mardan

Background: Pre-prosthetic treatment plays a crucial role in preparing abutment teeth for fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and is fundamental to achieving long-term functional and biological success. These procedures range from simple restorative and periodontal interventions to complex endodontic and surgical procedures, depending on the condition of the abutment teeth. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the types, frequency, and complexity of pre-prosthetic procedures required for abutment teeth in partially edentulous patients undergoing rehabilitation with fixed dental prostheses at Bacha Khan Dental Hospital. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics, Bacha Khan College of Dentistry, Mardan. A total of 148 partially edentulous patients aged 18–40 years, requiring fixed dental prostheses, were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling. Clinical intraoral examination was performed to assess abutment teeth for caries, periodontal status, restorability, and need for pre-prosthetic intervention. Required procedures were documented and abutments were categorized according to treatment complexity. Results: Among the 312 abutment teeth evaluated, 201 (64.4%) required one or more pre-prosthetic procedures. At the patient level, 133 patients (89.9%) required pre-prosthetic intervention. The most frequently required procedures were direct composite restorations (30.8%) and supra-gingival scaling (26.9%). More than half of the abutments (53.5%) required complex procedures such as endodontic therapy or crown lengthening, while 10.9% were deemed non-restorable and extracted. A significantly higher need for pre-prosthetic procedures was observed in patients aged 31–40 years compared to those aged 18–30 years (p = 0.048), while no significant gender-based association was identified. Conclusion: A high proportion of partially edentulous patients require pre-prosthetic treatment prior to FDP placement, with a substantial number of abutments needing complex interventions. Keywords: Abutment Teeth, Fixed Dental Prosthesis, Pre-Prosthetic Procedures, Partial Edentulism, Prosthodontic Rehabilitation, Treatment Planning.