Shortened dental arch therapy: views of consultants in restorative dentistry in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a study on the attitudes of the consultants in restorative dentistry (CRD) in the UK towards shortened dental arch therapy (SDAT). Data were collected by means of questionnaire, with a response of 67% achieved. The results indicate that 95% (n = 87) of the 91 participants in the study were of the opinion that SDA has a place in contemporary clinical practice. Eighty (88%) of the participants reported having prescribed SDA therapy during the last 5 years, the number of these patients requiring > 5 units of crown and bridgework being typically less than 25%. Forty-one (45%) of the participants reported patients being considered for SDAT expressing reservations about the outcome of their treatment, although around 75 (82%) of the participants indicated that SDAT was satisfactory in terms of oral function, comfort and well being. Experience of having to extend shortened dental arches following SDAT was limited to 34 (37%) of the participants. It is concluded that SDA is widely accepted but not widely practiced by CRDs in the UK and that, in patients satisfying existing criteria, the outcome of SDAT may be found to be acceptable in approximately 82% of cases.