Comparison of dental needs with the treatments actually received

The relationship between satisfaction with mouth and number and position of teeth

A number of studies have suggested that many people are satisfied with less than 28 natural teeth. This review assesses the evidence. The main conclusion was that less than a complete dentition can satisfy oral functional needs. Missing posterior teeth were not very important from a subjective aspect. The demand for replacement of missing teeth is related to the position of missing teeth. Most studies agree that individuals were more concerned about missing anterior teeth and having anterior rather than posterior teeth replaced. Aesthetics is more important than function for a great majority of individuals. However, certain socio-demographic factors, such as age, can change the subjective need for replacement of missing teeth. Some studies have assessed the social and psychological impacts on oral health status. The position of missing teeth was assessed, in terms of groups of missing teeth, anterior or posterior, that would affect an individuals' subjective need for replacement by partial prosthesis. Large numbers of people that have free end removable partial dentures made do not wear them because subjective needs are lower than normatively determined needs for replacement of missing teeth. Some studies have proposed alternatives to the replacement of missing teeth, such as the shortened dental arch concept.

Longevity of dental restorations in selected patients from different practice environments

The objective of the study was to evaluate the long-term survivals or longevity of dental restorations placed in selected patients from different practice environments in two countries. The case histories of 46 adult patients with 622 restorations placed in three private practices in Pakistan were followed for a minimum of 10 years, and compared with similar assessments of 50 adult patients with 966 restorations placed in a dental hospital in Australia. Amalgam and composite resin restorations showed similar survivals in both countries, but cast gold restorations had much lower survivals in the Pakistan group of patients. In both countries, restoration survivals were significantly better in females, and when patients attended less frequently for treatment. For the Australian group, changes in dental operators also gave significantly better survivals, and there were significant restoration survival differences present between the three practices in Pakistan.