[Chewing with shortened dental arches].
Masticatory performance as measured with (objective) chewing tests is correlated with the number of teeth (the food platform area). In general, however, the masticatory ability (the subjective chewing experience) is sufficient as long as 20 or more 'well-distributed' teeth remain, such as is the case with an SDA, when the anterior teeth and the premolar teeth are present. Research indicates that an SDA does not lead to altered food selection. Studies have shown that a free-end removable partial denture generally does not improve the oral function in terms of masticatory ability or chewing comfort, unless in case of extreme shortened dental arches with only the anterior teeth present.
Witter
D J
DJ
Vakgroep Orale functieleer, Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen, postbus 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen.
Slagter
A P
AP
Fontijn-Tekamp
F A
FA
Creugers
N H
NH
D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*