Patients undergoing a variety of pre-prosthetic treatment regimens are commonly provided with a removable partial denture (RPD) to preserve or restore function and esthetics during this interim period. The service duration of such an interim RPD is usually limited by its inexpensive fabrication, and prolonged coverage of the abutment teeth by the denture base and clasp structures can give rise to periodontal and carious lesions. We therefore conducted a study to analyze the oral-health implications and maintenance requirements based on clinical documentation available for 575 interim RPDs covering a mean observation period of 31.21±22.02 (3−158) months. The total success rate of these RPDs was 60.7% and signifi cantly higher for the mandibular (65.9%) than the maxillary (56.0%) dentures (p=0.014). They were associated with a signifi cantly increased risk of carious decay (p<0.05) and actual loss (p<0.05) of abutment teeth. In one-quarter of cases (24.9%), they involved increases in tooth mobility. Patient compliance with the prescribed recall schedule yielded a signifi cantly higher success rate than noncompliance (p=0.023). Clasp and resin fractures were frequent causes of repair, and repair needs increased with the duration of intraoral service. Based on our fi ndings, we recommend the use of an interim RPD for 3 to 6 months of intraoral service, which is appropriate for many pretreatment regimens. We do not recommend uses for longer than 9 months, considering that one-third of the RPDs in our study had already been repaired by that time. To minimize periodontal and carious lesions, it is advisable to take advantage of periodic recalls, which should include meeting any relining needs and checking for pressure sores to ensure good seating of the RPD. Whenever a need for repair arises, an appropriate material should be selected to avoid the development of denture stomatitis.