Prosthodontic decision‐making relating to dentitions with compromised molars: the perspective of Swedish General Dental Practitioners

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to study the clinical prosthodontic decision-making process relating to dentitions with compromised molars among Swedish general dental practitioners (GDPs). Eleven Swedish GDPs were purposively selected, and all agreed to participate. Then, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted and covered treatment considerations concerning two authentic patient cases, initially with complete dental arches, and later, a final treatment based on a shortened dental arch (SDA) was discussed. The cases involved patients with compromised teeth situated mainly in the molar regions. One patient suffered from extensive caries and the other from severe periodontal disease. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. In the systematic analysis, two main categories were identified: holistic and functional approach. Among the interviewed GDPs, focus was put on patients' needs, background history and motivation for treatment as well as the preservation of molar support. Within the limitations of this study, the following can be concluded: keeping a dental arch with molars seems to be important to Swedish general dental practitioners. The SDA concept does not seem to have a substantial impact on the prosthodontic decision-making relating to dentitions with compromised molars. The dentist's experiences, as well as colleagues' or consulting specialist advice together with aetiological factors and the patient's individual situation, influence the decision-making more than the SDA concept. The conflicting results in the prosthetic decision-making process concerning the relevance of age and the need for molar support need further investigation, for example based on decisions made in the dentist's own clinical practice.

The Shortened Dental Arch Concept: Awareness, Knowledge, and Practice of Dentists in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, United Arab Emirates

“…In the present study, female dentists were more likely to select posterior tooth replacement for SDA patients than male dentists. This result is in agreement with a previous study conducted in Sweden [ 25 ]. Fifty percent of the participating dentists voted in favor of replacing missing molars, stating that this will improve the masticatory function and aesthetics of SDA patients.…”

“…Furthermore, among those dentists who were aware of the SDA, the frequency of application was considerably low. The same was found in other studies in various countries [ 10 , 14 , 16 – 19 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Determinants of Clinical Decision Making under Uncertainty in Dentistry: A Scoping Review

“…Clinician knowledge and education were also influences in decision making [ 57 ]. Dentists have an interest in evidence-based practice principles to improve their personal knowledge, skills, and treatment quality [ 59 ].…”