The randomized shortened dental arch study: oral health-related quality of life

• Published in: Clinical oral investigations Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 525 - 533
• Main Authors: Wolfart, S., Müller, F., Gerß, J., Heyedcke, G., Marré, B., Böning, K., Wöstmann, B., Kern, M., Mundt, T., Hannak, W., Brückner, J., Passia, N., Jahn, F., Hartmann, S., Stark, H., Richter, E. J., Gernet, W., Luthardt, R. G., Walter, M. H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.03.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cohort Studies; Dental Arch - anatomy & histology; Dentistry; Female; Humans; Male; Medicine; Middle Aged; Oral Health; Original Article; Quality of Life; Removable partial dental prosthesis; Randomized clinical trial; Fixed partial dental prosthesis; Shortened dental arch; Oral health-related quality of life
• ISSN: 1432-6981; 1436-3771
• DOI: 10.1007/s00784-013-0991-6

Objectives 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. Material and 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. Conclusion 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. Clinical relevance For improving OHRQoL, it is not necessary to replace missing molars with a RPDP.