title: Occlusal stability in shortened dental arches.
abstract: Shortened dental arches consisting of anterior and premolar teeth have been shown to meet oral functional demands. However, the occlusal stability may be at risk as a result of tooth migration. The aim of this nine-year study was to investigate occlusal stability in shortened dental arches as a function over time. Occlusal stability indicators were: 'interdental spacing', 'occlusal contacts of anterior teeth in Intercuspal Position', 'overbite', 'occlusal tooth wear', and 'alveolar bone support'. Subjects with shortened dental arches (n = 74) were compared with subjects with complete dental arches (controls, n = 72). Repeated-measurement regression analyses were applied to assess age-dependent variables in the controls and to relate the occlusal changes to the period of time since the treatment that led to the shortened dental arches. Compared with complete dental arches, shortened dental arches had similar overbite and occlusal tooth wear. They showed more interdental spacing in the premolar regions, more anterior teeth in occlusal contact, and lower alveolar bone scores. Since the differences remained constant over time, we conclude that shortened dental arches can provide long-term occlusal stability. Occlusal changes were self-limiting, indicating a new occlusal equilibrium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Function and Prosthetic Dentistry, College of Dental Sciences, Medical Faculty, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands. D.Witter@dent.kun.nl
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Witter
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Creugers
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kreulen
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: de Haan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology; D019217:Tooth Attrition / Q000209:etiology; D014085:Tooth Migration