A survey of dentists’ practice in the restoration of the shortened dental arch

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The aim of this survey was to determine how a sample of dentists working in general dental practice inthe UK sought to restore the mouths of patients who had shortened dental arches (SDAs). Study design: A surveywas conducted over a period of six months on four commercial dental laboratories. Cases of SDAs comprising theanterior teeth and 2 to 4 premolars were examined; dental prescriptions were scrutinized and a special data collectionform was completed accordingly. Results: A total of 140 SDA cases were examined. Most of these caseswere for mandibular SDAs (88.6%). Of the recorded SDA cases, 67.2% were restored by cobalt-chromium basedremovable partial dentures (RPD); 25.7% were extended by acrylic-resin based RPDs; implants were provided torestore 8 SDA cases (5.7%); and only two SDA cases (1.4%) were extended by cantilevered fixed bridges. Neitherthe gender of the patient ([Chi (2)= 4.19, p>0.05) nor the length of the SDA ([Chi (2) = 6.51, p>0.05) influenced thechoice of prosthesis to be implemented. Conclusions: It would appear from the results of this survey that amongthe different restorative treatment options for SDA, the RPD was the most popular treatment option for dentistssurveyed in this UK study. Extending the SDA by either an implant-supported prosthesis or cantilevered fixedbridges did not appear to be a popular choice of treatment (AU)

RESUMEN

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