The randomized shortened dental arch study: tooth loss.

The evidence concerning the management of shortened dental arch (SDA) cases is sparse. This multi-center study was aimed at generating data on outcomes and survival rates for two common treatments, removable dental prostheses (RDP) for molar replacement or no replacement (SDA). The hypothesis was that the treatments lead to different incidences of tooth loss. We included 215 patients with complete molar loss in one jaw. Molars were either replaced by RDP or not replaced, according to the SDA concept. First tooth loss after treatment was the primary outcome measure. This event occurred in 13 patients in the RDP group and nine patients in the SDA group. The respective Kaplan-Meier survival rates at 38 months were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.74-0.91) in the RDP group and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78-0.95) in the SDA group, the difference being non-significant.

Effects of prosthetic treatment for shortened dental arches on oral health-related quality of life, self-reports of pain and jaw disability: results from the pilot-phase of a randomized multicentre trial.

A multi-centre randomized clinical trial is under way at 14 university dental schools in Germany to compare prosthodontic treatments for the shortened dental arch (SDA). One of the aims of this pilot-study was to measure the effect of two treatment options of the SDA on oral health-related quality of life and on the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) for temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Thirty-four patients participated in the pilot-study. Inclusion criteria were: all molars were missing and the presence of at least both canines and one premolar in each quadrant. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either removable partial dentures including molar replacement (RPD_group) or retain a premolar occlusion (PROC_group). The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) and the RDC for TMD were completed by participants before treatment (pre-treatment), 6 weeks (6 wks), 6 months (6m) and 12 months (12 m) after treatment. At the 12-month follow up, data of 10 women and 11 men (mean age: 62 +/- 10 years) were available. Medians of the OHIP total-scores were as follows: RPD (n = 10), 43.5 (pre-treatment), 18.2 (6 wks), 13.3 (6m), 14.7 (12 m). PROC (n = 11): 31.8 (pre-treatment), 27.1 (6 wks), 8.8 (6m), 8.3 (12 m). Significant differences were shown for RPD_group between pre-treatment and 6m/12 m and for PROC_group between pre-treatment and 6m. There were no significant differences between treatment groups at any time. Within each group, an improvement of life-quality was observed. No significant difference could be reported between the two therapy concepts. This may be due to the low sample size within the pilot study.

[Prosthetic rehabilitation of surgically and orthodontically pretreated patients with clefts]. / Prothetische Rehabilitation chirurgisch-kieferorthopädisch vorbehandelter Spaltträger.

The complex oral rehabilitation of cleft patients can be achieved only by the co-ordinated efforts of the oral surgeon, the orthodontist, the logopaedist, the otorhinolaryngologist, the paediatrician, the psychologist, and the dental practitioner. The choice of prosthodontic measures depends on the nagative sagittal shoulder; there are five groups of clinical indications which are described and illustrated by case reports.

[Use of endosseous implants in the prosthetic treatment of mandible. Report on clinical experiences]. / Die Anwendung enossaler Implantate bei der prothetischen Versorgung des Unterkiefers. Ein klinischer Erfahrungsbericht.

Clinical experiences of the last years have shown that the success of dental implantation is mainly determined by exact indication, correct therapy planning, tissue saving implantation, periodontal prophylactic form of suprastructure and an optimal recallsystem for oral hygienics.

[Improvement of healing of pedicled skin flaps and free skin grafts (animal experiments)]. / Die Verbesserung der Einheilung von gestielten Hautlappen und freien Hauttransplantaten (Tierexperimentelle Studie).

A combined therapy in order to improve the healing of dermatoplasties is presented. Epicutaneous application of oxygen is combined with injection of a vasodilating drug. The results from experiments on 25 rabbits showed accelerated healing, smaller necroting areas, and improved circulation in pedicled skin flaps of well as in free cutaneous grafts. All results are statistically secured and are confirmed by histologic examinations. The method is uncomplicated and very effective.