Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: In cases of missing posterior teeth, treatment modalities based on the shortened dental arch (SDA) concept may be a viable alternative. However, the association between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and patients' treatment decisions remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between OHRQoL and the decision to be treated with implant-supported fixed partial dentures (IFPDs) or take a wait-and-see approach in patients with an SDA missing a single second molar and to clarify the impact of IFPD treatment on the OHRQoL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) questionnaire was administered twice (pre- and post-treatment) and once to 41 patients with a unilateral SDA missing a single second molar who chose IFPD treatment (IFPD group, n = 22) and the wait-and-see approach (no treatment group, n = 19), respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed with IFPD treatment choice as the objective variable and the four OHIP dimension scores, age, and sex as covariates. The pre- and post-treatment values of the OHIP summary and four-dimension scores were compared using a paired t-test. RESULTS: The IFPD treatment choice was significantly associated with sex (male), higher Oral Function dimension scores, and lower Psychosocial Impact dimension scores (all P < 0.05). The OHIP summary and four-dimension scores were significantly lower following IFPD treatment (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IFPD treatment for a single missing second molar may be clinically beneficial for improving the OHRQoL of patients with an SDA who experience a decline in masticatory function.