Objectives: To assess the masticatory performance of restored short span Kennedy class III edentulous area with respect to non-restored side in patient treated with either fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and/or removable partial dentures (RPDs).
Methods: Fifty Kennedy class III partially dentate patients with age range (35 - 54) years were recruited for this study. FDPs and/or RPDs were made for all patients. Patients were categorized to five groups; ten patients each. Masticatory efficiency has been evaluated one month after prostheses delivery. Data was analyzed using student's t- test, paired t-test and multi-level linear model test.
Results: Statistical significant difference was observed between different groups under study compared to control group (p≤0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between study groups in respect to age, number of teeth or masticatory efficiency (p≥0.05).
Conclusions: Masticatory efficiency at the intact side is better than the side restored with FDPs and /or RPDs. Type of the prosthesis whether FDPs and/or RPDs didn't influence the masticatory efficiency of short span Kennedy class III patients.