Dj. Witter et al., A 6-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF ORAL FUNCTION IN SHORTENED DENTAL ARCHES .2. CRANIOMANDIBULAR DYSFUNCTION AND ORAL COMFORT, Journal of oral rehabilitation, 21(4), 1994, pp. 353-366
In this clinical 6-year follow-up study subjects with shortened dental
arches (SDA, n = 55), characterized by the absence of molar support,
are compared with subjects with complete dental arches (CDA, n = 52) w
ith respect to items concerning craniomandibular dysfunction and oral
comfort. In addition, a small group of subjects with SDA and removable
partial dentures in the lower jaw (SDA + RPD, n = 19) is included in
this study. Oral comfort is defined using the following criteria: (i)
absence of pain and distress, meaning the absence of signs and symptom
s of craniomandibular dysfunction; (ii) chewing ability; and (iii) app
reciation of the appearance of the dentition in relation to absent pos
terior teeth. Additionally, complaints about the free-end RPD are desc
ribed. It is concluded that: (i) a SDA (consisting of 3-5 occlusal uni
ts, OU) is not a fisk factor for CMD and is able to provide long-term
sufficient oral comfort; and (ii) free-end RPD (in the lower jaw) in S
DA do not prevent CMD and do not improve oral function in terms of ora
l comfort.