The randomized shortened dental arch study: 5-year maintenance.
The scientific evidence concerning prosthodontic care for the shortened dental arch (SDA) is sparse. This randomized multicenter study aimed to compare two common treatment options: removable partial dental prostheses (RPDPs) for molar replacement vs. no replacement (SDA). One of the hypotheses was that the follow-up treatment differs between patients with RPDPs and patients with SDAs during the 5-year follow-up period. Two hundred and fifteen patients with complete molar loss in one jaw were included in the study. Molars were either replaced by RPDPs or not replaced according to the SDA concept. A mean number of 4.2 (RPDP) and 2.8 (SDA) treatments for biological or technical reasons occurred during the 5-year observation time per patient. Concerning the biological aspect, no significant differences between the groups could be shown, whereas treatment arising from technical reasons was significantly more frequent for the RPDP group. When the severity of treatment was analyzed, a change over time was evident. When, at baseline, only follow-up treatment with minimal effort is required, over time there is a continuous increase to moderate and extensive effort observed for both groups (Controlled-trials.com number ISRCTN97265367).
Department of Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
S
S
Wolfart
B
B
Marré
B
B
Wöstmann
M
M
Kern
T
T
Mundt
R G
RG
Luthardt
J
J
Huppertz
W
W
Hannak
T
T
Reiber
N
N
Passia
G
G
Heydecke
W
W
Reinhardt
S
S
Hartmann
E
E
Busche
G
G
Mitov
H
H
Stark
P
P
Pospiech
A
A
Weber
W
W
Gernet
M H
MH
Walter
D000328:Adult; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology*; D003779:Denture Design; D003834:Denture Precision Attachment; D003781:Denture Retention; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome