title: The randomized shortened dental arch study: oral health-related quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the shortened dental arch (SDA) concept is a widely accepted strategy to avoid overtreatment, little is known on its impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This multicenter randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the OHRQoL for removable partial dental prostheses (RPDP) with molar replacement versus the SDA concept.
  
  
  METHODS
  In both groups, missing anterior teeth were replaced with fixed dental prosthesis. Two hundred fifteen patients with bilateral molar loss in at least one jaw were included. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) was completed before; 6 weeks (baseline), 6 months, and 12 months after treatment; and thereafter annually until 5 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the initial cohort, 81 patients were assigned to the RPDP group and 71 to the SDA group (age, 34 to 86 years). Before treatment, the median OHIP score was similar in both groups (RPDP, 38.0; SDA, 40.0; n.s.). Results indicate marked improvements in OHRQoL in both groups between pretreatment and baseline (RPDP, 27.0; SDA, 19.0; p ≤ 0.0001) which continued in the RPDP group until the 1-year follow-up (p = 0.0002). These significant reductions in OHIP scores are reflected in its subscales. No further differences were seen within and between groups during the remainder observation period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both treatments show a significant improvement in OHRQoL which continued in the RPDP group until the 1-year follow-up. No significant differences were seen between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For improving OHRQoL, it is not necessary to replace missing molars with a RPDP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany, swolfart@ukaachen.de.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wolfart
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gerß
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heyedcke
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marré
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Böning
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wöstmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mundt
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hannak
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brückner
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Passia
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jahn
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gernet
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Luthardt
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Walter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D011788:Quality of Life