Comprehensive implant restoration and the shortened dental arch

The restoration of edentulous space or hopeless teeth with implant-supported restorations can involve extensive time, effort, and financial commitment. This article presents a case of a debilitated dentition that was restored by using the shortened dental arch (SDA) concept in a comprehensive implant restoration. An SDA design was used to replace removable partial dentures with multiple nonsplinted implant-supported crowns extending to the premolars. The results showed an immediate and dramatic improvement in comfort, function, and esthetics while allowing the patient to practice normal oral hygiene.