e85 Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2010 Jan 1;15 (1):e85-9. Restoration of the shortened dental arch Journal section: Clinical and Experimental Dentistry

Objectives: The aim of this survey was to determine how a sample of dentists working in general dental practice in the UK sought to restore the mouths of patients who had shortened dental arches (SDAs). Study design: A survey was conducted over a period of six months on four commercial dental laboratories. Cases of SDAs comprising the anterior teeth and 2 to 4 premolars were examined; dental prescriptions were scrutinized and a special data col-lection form was completed accordingly. Results: A total of 140 SDA cases were examined. Most of these cases were for mandibular SDAs (88.6%). Of the recorded SDA cases, 67.2 % were restored by cobalt-chromium based removable partial dentures (RPD); 25.7 % were extended by acrylic-resin based RPDs; implants were provided to restore 8 SDA cases (5.7%); and only two SDA cases (1.4%) were extended by cantilevered fixed bridges. Neither the 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 th