The shortened dental arch concept and its implications for oral health care

The minimum number of teeth needed to satisfy functional demands has been t he subject of several studies. However, since functional demands - and cons equently the number of teeth needed - can vary from individual to individua l, this minimum number cannot be defined exactly. In general, occlusion of a complete dental arch is preferable. However, this goal might be neither a ttainable, for general, dental or financial reasons, nor necessary. Many st udies demonstrate that shortened dental arches comprising the anterior and premolar regions fan meet the requirements of a functional dentition. Conse quently, when priorities have to be set, restorative therapy should be aime d at preserving the most strategic parts of the dental arch: the anterior a nd premolar regions. This also implies that in cases of a shortened dental arch, the prompt replacement of absent posterior molars by free-end removab le partial dentures leads to overtreatment and discomfort. The shortened de ntal arch concept is based on circumstantial evidence: it does not contradi ct current theories of occlusion and fits well with a problem-solving appro ach. The concept offers some important advantages and may be considered a s trategy to reduce the need for complex restorative treatment in the posteri or regions of the mouth.