The main purpose of this paper is to discuss the need for replacing missing teeth in the elderly and indicate some of the special treatment dilemmas that may be present in this group. No incontrovertible definition exists as to what constitutes an adequate oral function. However, there seems to be a consensus in the dental literature that acceptable oral function can be obtained by means of «The Shortened Dental Arch Concept», even in severely reduced dentitions as is frequently found in the elderly. Among matters also discussed in this paper are: what is meant by “elderly”, how a patient’s true prosthodontic need is uncovered, possible obstacles to optimal treatment, the use of simplified methods and materials, prosthodontic treatment when oral diseases cannot be completely controlled, repair or renewal of prosthesis, the choice of fixed or removable restoration, implants for the elderly and future perspectives.
Relationship between Oral Function and Occlusal Bite Force in the Elderly