PROSTHETIC REHABILITATION OF SHORT DENTAL ARCH: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

Objectives: To compare the available prosthetic treatment options of patients with short dental arch (SDA) in regard to oral related health quality of life and biological complication. Methods: An electronic search was performed using PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL databases for articles published in English till the end of March 2017. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared shortened dental arches concept to their restoration to complete arch lengths with different prosthodontic interventions. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstract, made data extraction and appraised the quality of included studies. Findings From a total of 19 relevant studies iden?tified, 8 RCTs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A narrative explanation of the outcomes is reported for the 3 comparison groups (which were based on the different interventions used for the individual clinical trials). The shortened dental arch as a treatment option is encouraging in terms of oral health related quality of life and biological complication. Application/Improvements: To perform a true comparison, well designed RCTs should be held out.