Effect of treatment with implant-supported fixed partial dentures on oral health-related quality of life in patients with unilateral shortened dental arch

Background/purpose

Implant-supported fixed partial dentures (IFPDs) are a treatment option for partially edentulous dentition with missing posterior-most molars despite the concept of a shortened dental arch (SDA). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of IFPD treatment on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with unilateral SDA missing two adjacent molars and to compare the effects of single- and two-unit IFPDs.

Materials and methods

Forty patients with unilateral SDA missing two adjacent molars (Kennedy Class II) participated in this study; 11 patients received one implant placement in the first molar and were treated with a single-unit IFPD (single-unit group), and 29 received two implant placements and were treated with a two-unit IFPD (two-unit group). The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) questionnaire for OHRQoL assessment and the gummy jelly test for objective masticatory performance were administered before and after IFPD treatment. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test for all patients and Mann–Whitney U test were performed for pre- and post-treatment comparisons and between-group comparisons, respectively.

Results

The OHIP summary score and gummy jelly glucose concentration in all patients showed significant improvements after treatment (all P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the single- and two-unit groups for any of the items. Using the minimal important difference in the OHIP summary score, 63.6 % and 58.6 % of patients in the single- and two-unit groups, respectively, showed improvement by 6 points or more.

Conclusion

IFPD treatment for patients with SDA missing two adjacent molars may provide clinically meaningful improvements in OHRQoL.