Objectives: This study aimed to compare the cost effectiveness of conventional treatment using partial dentures with functionally orientated treatment based on the shortened dental arch concept to replace missing teeth for partially dentate elders.
Methods: 50 partially dentate patients aged 65 years and older were recruited following routine dental assessment at a university dental hospital. Patients consented to and were randomly assigned to the two treatment arms. The conventional treatment group received a removable partial denture to replace all missing natural teeth. The functionally orientated group were restored to a shortened dental arch of 10 occluding contacts using resin bonded bridgework to replace missing incisors, canines and premolars. The costs associated with each treatment were recorded including laboratory charges, treatment time and opportunity costs. The impact on quality of life (OHRQoL) was measured using the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile.
Results: Both groups reported improvements in OHRQoL after completion of treatment. For the conventional group, the mean OHIP-14 score decreased from 12.4 pre-operatively to 3.3 post-operatively (p<0.001). In the functionally orientated group the OHIP-14 score decreased from 11.4 to 1.8 following treatment (p<0.001). On average the conventional treatment group required 8.3 clinic visits as compared to 4.4 visits for the functionally orientated group. The mean total treatment time was 183 minutes 19 seconds for the conventional group versus 124 minutes 8 seconds for the functionally orientated group. The conventional treatment group had an average of 6.33 teeth replaced at a laboratory cost of £287.08. The functionally orientated group had an average of 2.64 teeth replaced at a laboratory cost of £207.66.
Conclusions: Restoration to a shortened dental arch using functionally orientated treatment resulted in a similar improvement in OHRQoL with fewer clinic visits, less operative time and at a lower laboratory cost compared with conventional treatment.