Implant-supported Crowns for a Shortened Dental Arch: A Case Report

Abstract

The aim of this report is to highlight the efficiency of implant restoration of a shortened dental arch (SDA) for a partially edentulous patient. The SDA refers to a dentition with loss of posterior teeth. The goal of dental care is the maintenance of a natural dentition with regard to esthetics, speech, chewing, and oral comfort. In order to achieve this goal several issues were examined in a SDA clinical scenario including masticatory ability, occlusal factors, the effect of removable partial dentures, oral comfort, and periodontal support. A 62-year-old female with a SDA presented for treatment with concern about her compromised periodontal and restorative status. Following professional scaling and root planing and oral hygiene motivation, the bite was opened. Restorative treatment was rendered up to the second premolars with the issues associated with a SDA in mind. A body of evidence in literature showed an arch extending to the second premolars is adequate for normal functional demands, oral hygiene, oral comfort, and possibly reduced costs on a dentition subjected to modern diet. The reported clinical outcomes of using implant supported crowns till the second premolar area using the concept of restoring only an existing SDA were highly satisfactory for the well-oriented patient.