title: A 6-year follow-up study of oral function in shortened dental arches. Part I: Occlusal stability.
abstract: In this clinical 6-year follow-up study subjects with shortened dental arches (SDA, n = 55), characterized by the absence of molar support, are compared with subjects with complete dental arches (CDA, n = 52) with respect to occlusal stability. In addition, a small group of subjects with SDA and removable partial dentures in the lower jaw (SDA+RPD, n = 19) is included in this study. The aim of this study was to describe effects regarding occlusal stability in subjects with SDA during a 6-year period. The applied parameters for occlusal stability are: number of occlusal contacts in the anterior region, overbite, interdental spacing and alveolar bone support. The results of this study show that: (i) SDA do provide durable occlusal stability; (ii) free-end RPD do not contribute to occlusal stability in SDA; and (iii) SDA with periodontally involved teeth show continuing periodontal breakdown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Function and Prosthetic Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Witter
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: de Haan
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Käyser
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: van Rossum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged