The subject of this thesis was philosophies to treatment or lack of treatment of shortened dental arches. The principal aim of the studies reported in this thesis was to investigate dentists' treatment preferences, dentists' current practice and patients' preferences with respect to the different treatment options for the shortened dental arch (SDA). The objectives of the study were: To review the literature related to the different treatment options for the SDAs. To determine, via a questionnaire, how dentists would treat SDA patients under the clinical scenario, depending on age. To investigate, via visits to dental laboratories, how dentists were seen to have actually treated patients with SDAs. To determine how patients value the outcomes of different treatment options for the SDAs, based on a questionnaire and laboratory models of a variety of clinical treatment options. To compare the perception of dentists and patients to treatment options for the SDAs. The comparison between the results of the three studies presented in this thesis indicated a gap between what the dentists prefer and practise and what the patients prefer and value. This finding, coupled with the fact that decision-making for the treatment options for patients with SDAs is fraught with uncertainties, would emphasise the need for more active communication. between patients and dentists when planning the restorative dental treatment for the SDAs. This could be the optimal approach towards achieving the best treatment outcome.