Chewing ability of subjects with shortened dental arches

Abstract

Shortened dental arches with intact premolar regions and at least one occluding pair of molars provide sufficient chewing ability. Shortened arches with 3-4 pairs of occluding premolars and asymmetric arches with a long side result in impairment of chewing ability, especially for hard foods. In extremely shortened arches comprising 0-2 occluding premolars, chewing ability is severely impaired.