It is possible to use an implant to help retain partial dentures.

The way you would do this would be to use a locator on the implant and a locator housing within the partial denture.

You may use the following combination of retentive features to help retain the partial denture:

• Clasps

• Locator

• Extra-coronal attachments:

  

  

There are tons of different types of extracoronal attachments. The website for the company Preat is a really good resources for them.

An implant can especially be useful for providing stabilization at a distal extension like so:

While some clinicians choose to use a locator in order to eliminate the clasps of the partial denture, it can be beneficial to leave the clasps in the partial denture to help add an additional layer of retention, especially in the case of any complications with the implant/locator.

Adverse forces:

The question of adverse forces on the tooth that carries the weight of the extra-coronal attachment is legitimate. Yes it has a non axial load due to the attachment. Therefore you should be strategic about choosing the right abutment tooth such as a canine or molar.

Also, partial dentures in and of themselves tend to cause detrimental forces on teeth. That is why it is important to adhere to mindful RPD design principals and lever actions.

Some examples to give you ideas: