title: Masticatory efficiency of shortened dental arch subjects with removable partial denture: A comparative study.
abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the masticatory efficiency in subjects with shortened dental arch (SDA) before and after restoration with removable partial denture (RPD).
  
  
  
  This was a prospective study carried out on 36 consecutive patients. The subjects were asked to chew 5 g of a measured portion of fresh raw carrot for 20 specified numbers of strokes. The raw carrot was recovered into a cup and strained through a standard mesh sieve of 5 mm by 1 mm, it was air dried for 30 min and weighed with FEM digital series weighing scale. The masticatory performance ratio was then determined.
  
  
  
  The age range of the subjects was 34-64 years with the mean age being 52.2 ± 8.2 years. The difference between the total masticatory performance score at the post- and pre-treatment phases was statistically significant (P = 0.001). The improvement in masticatory performance was marked among the younger age groups (P = 0.001), unilateral free end saddle subjects (P = 0.001), and among the male gender (P < 0.05).
  
  
  
  Masticatory performance improved with the provision of RPD. However, the improvement was marked among the younger age groups, unilateral free end saddle subjects, and the male gender; thereby supporting the need for RPDs in patients with SDA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Benin, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Omo
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Benin, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sede
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Esan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003724:Dental Arch; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies