Retrospective Study on Elderly Patients With Removable Dentures After 1-5-years

Objectives: The main interest of the present study was to investigate the chewing efficiency of patients with removable dentures, the Denture Hygiene Index (DHI) and general performance of the dentures.
Methods: This study was performed at the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry at Saarland University from 2008-2009 and included 50 elderly patients who received dentures between 2003 and 2008. 30 male and 20 female elderly took part with a mean age of 69 years. Data were recorded using questionnaires and clinical examinations. Chewing efficiency was measured by carrying out the Carrot Chewing Test (CCT). The hygiene status for the dentures was stated by the Denture Hygiene Index (DHI).
Results: None of the elderly displayed craniomandibular disorders. There were considerable differences between the patients opinion and the results of the clinical examination regarding denture stability but only 28-% reported the use of denture adhesives. Even 86-% reported a satisfying chewing efficiency. In a slight contrast to these results the CCT revealed only in 36-% of the elderly a "fine-ground" carrot, in 20-% a medium-ground result and 16-% of the participants were not even able to chew the carrot. Deficits were found concerning the DHI. 90-% of the elderly reported a regular cleaning of their dentures using cleaning agents and a "clean-feeling" in their oral cavity, but in 20-% of the cases a not satisfying result was found. 48-% of the patients stated that they see a dentist only in the case of problems, as 28-% visit the office twice a year and 24-% once per year.
Conclusions: Perfect chewing functionality is not achieved. Denture hygiene can be improved by a strict recall-program to check and clean the dentures on a regular base. An overall satisfaction could be stated.