Shortened dental arch

The shortened dental arch (SDA) concept is widely accepted by the dental profession but few dentists incorporate it into their dental practices despite circumstantial evidence of the good functionality it provides. Because SDA occurs because of tooth loss, it may be expected to be associated with a compromised oral health −related quality of life (OHRQoL). The number, location, and distribution of the missing teeth affect the severity of the effect on OHRQoL. Posterior tooth loss appears to be less disruptive than anterior tooth loss; having fewer occluding pairs of teeth left in place is also more disruptive.

Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Inquiry Source Type: research