Related Experiment Videos
Shortened dental arches and masticatory ability
D J Witter1, A B Cramwinckel, G M van Rossum
1Department of Oral Function and Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Journal of Dentistry
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Impaired chewing ability affects about 10% of patients with shortened dental arches, even with reduced food platform area. This contrasts with other studies, but impairment is linked to fewer than 10 occluding tooth pairs.
Area of Science:
- Oral health
- Dental function
- Masticatory performance
Background:
- Previous research on shortened dental arches indicated some patients experience impaired masticatory ability.
- This contrasts with findings linking masticatory performance directly to food platform area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of impaired masticatory ability in patients with shortened dental arches.
- To review literature regarding the threshold for impaired masticatory function.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of patient data from a prior study on oral function and shortened dental arches.
- Literature review on masticatory performance and occluding pairs of teeth.
Main Results:
- Approximately 10% of patients with shortened dental arches reported impaired masticatory ability.
- Impaired masticatory ability is associated with fewer than 10 occluding pairs of teeth.
- Shortened dental arches did not correlate with adverse dietary shifts impacting general health.
Conclusions:
- A subset of patients with shortened dental arches may experience reduced chewing efficiency.
- The number of occluding tooth pairs is a critical factor in masticatory function.
- Shortened dental arches do not pose a risk to general health through dietary changes.