Mastication and OHRQoL of Frail Elderly People with New Dentures

Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of new complete dentures (CD) insertion, on self-perceived masticatory ability (MA) and Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of frail elders.
Methods: Completely edentulous elders (mean age = 77.6 years), who were using unsatisfactory CD, were selected and assigned to two groups: frail (n=10, experimental) and non-frail (n=10, controls). Frailty phenotype was determined according to the Fried criteria by assessing weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity level, slowness and weakness. MA evaluated the easiness or difficult to chew seven tupes of food with different consistences, using a 100-mm visual analogue scale. The OHRQoL was measured by applying the validated version for edentulous patients of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-Edent). Variables were first evaluated with volunteers wearing their unsatisfactory CD. Subsequently, they received new set of CD and data was re-assessed after 2 months of use the new prosthesis. Data were analysed by two-way ANOVA for repeated measures and Tukey test as post-hoc (p < 0.05).
Results: Comparison between groups showed no differences for MA before new CD insertion (P > 0.05). Considering OHIP-Edent domains, controls showed increased (P < 0.05) scores for psychological discomfort and frails demonstrated higher values for handicap, while all other domains did not present differences. After new CD insertion, elders from the experimental group showed the improved MA (P < 0.05) only to chew peanuts, and OHRQoL was similar (P > 0.05) between groups. Comparisons between time points showed an improvement in MA for controls and frail individuals to chew all types of food after new CD installation (P < 0.05). All domains of OHIP-Edent, except social disability, also improved for both groups after new dentures insertion (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: It can be suggested that new well-fitted CD improve self-reported mastication and OHRQoL.