Dentists' Evaluation of Different Issues Related to Shortened Dental Arch Concept

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effect of seniority and specialty on evaluation of Shortened Dental Arch Concept by the dentists of the Royal Medical Services of Jordan Armed Forces. Methods: A simple form-based survey was conducted on 150 dentists of different seniorities and specialties working at six central and peripheral hospitals of the Royal Medical Services. The participants were asked to respond by (yes, no, sometimes, and don’t know) to different issues of Shortened Dental Arch (esthetic, oral function, occlusal stability, and effect on temporomandibular joint). The collected data were analyzed using Chi-Square test. Results: The response rate was 75.3%; dentists varied in their responses to different issues of Shortened Dental Arch concept. Participants evaluation regarding the capability of Shortened Dental Arch therapy to provide satisfactory outcome were 92% for esthetic, 75% occlusal stability, 72% oral function, and 62% for the effect on temporomandibular joint. There were significant statistical differences in the evaluation of dentists in general and specialists of restorative dentistry in particular to different Shortened Dental Arch issues. Conclusions: Evaluation of Shortened Dental Arch concept was affected by the seniority and specialty of dentists. General practitioners showed the lowest agreement while restorative dentists showed the highest agreement on the Shortened Dental Arch concept. Key word: Dentition, Shortened dental arch, Tooth loss.