This retrospective clinical study investigated the survival of 385 abutment teeth retaining 117 removable partial dentures with 3 types of telescopic abutment retainers. Within a mean service time of 6.26 years, 8.8% of 385 abutment teeth were extracted. Cox regression analysis revealed a significantly higher risk of tooth loss for posterior teeth (odds ratio: 2.985) and for teeth with root canal treatment (odds ratio: 3.298), whereas age, sex, and number and type of telescopic retainer had no influence on survival. Root canal–treated teeth did not show a higher fracture rate, excluding this as an explanation for an increased risk of tooth loss. Int J Prosthodont 2008;21:319–321