Masticatory performance, maximum occlusal force, and occlusal contact area in patients with bilaterally missing molars and distal extension removable partial dentures.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the masticatory performance, maximum occlusal force, and occlusal contact area of subjects with bilaterally missing molars, treated either with the shortened dental arch (SDA) concept or with distal extension removable partial dentures (RPDs), during a 1-year follow-up.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included three groups of 10 subjects each, in which SDA and RPD groups displayed bilateral molar loss in the mandible. Subjects with complete natural dentition (CD) served as the control group. Masticatory performance was evaluated by the multiple sieve method. Standard cubes (edge length: 8 mm, 0.9 g) shaped from a high viscosity polysiloxane molding material (Zetaplus, Zhermack) were used as the test food. Maximum occlusal force (N) and occlusal contact area (mm2) were evaluated using dental prescale films.
RESULTS: No statistically significant differences regarding masticatory performance between the groups or evaluation periods were demonstrated. In the RPD group, masticatory performance with and without prostheses showed no significant differences. SDA patients showed significantly lower contact area and occlusal force than both the CD and RPD groups (P < .05).
CONCLUSION: SDA can be an alternative to distal extension RPDs with respect to masticatory performance in subjects with bilaterally missing molars in one dental arch, despite remarkable reductions in maximum occlusal force and occlusal contact area.