A survey of the attitudes of members of the European Prosthodontic Association towards the shortened dental arch concept.

A survey of members of the European Prosthodontic Association was undertaken to assess their attitudes to the shortened dental arch concept, and to evaluate their experience with the approach. Data were collected using questionnaires. From an overall response of 42%, 96% of respondents agreed that the approach was acceptable in clinical practice. Almost all respondents had applied the shortened dental arch concept with 72% of respondents having treated less than 50 patients in this way over the previous 5 years. In terms of comfort and function, treatment outcome was satisfactory. However, 42% of respondents indicated that prosthetic extension of shortened dental arches was occasionally required.