Method: The sample comprised 106 patients of both gender requesting treatment with conventional complete dentures in the clinics of the Ribeirão Preto Dental School, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Each participant answered a specific questionnaire about demographic characteristics, medical and dental conditions, as well as denture satisfaction.
Result: The results showed that the mean age of patients was 63.35 years (82.08%- female, 17.92%- male). The most frequently reported diseases were eye problems (82.08%), back pain (56.60%) and hypertension (45.37%). Thirty-five patients (33.02%) had maxillary edentulous for over 30 years and 27 (25.47%) mandibular edentulous, and only 28.30% were using dentures during this period. Eighty-four patients (79.25%) used both prostheses and 22 (20.75%) only the upper, and 62.26% were on the same maxillary denture for more than five years, and 49.06% the same lower denture. Sixty-two users (58.49%) slept with the prosthesis. Fifty-five patients showed satisfaction with the prosthesis (51.89%). Of these patients, 25.47% reported hyposalivation and noise when opening and closing the mouth, and 24.53% had pain in the ear area. Thirty-six (33.96%) reported frequent injuries caused by the prosthesis, especially the lower (23.58%) whereas only 26.42% looking for dentist in the these occurrences. For hygiene, the most used method was brushing (100%) and most patients (51.89%) reported ever having been advised about the method of cleaning dentures.
Conclusion: The most reported systemic diseases was eye problems. The most common symptom was hyposalivation. Most patients used the same dentures for more than five years, didn’t have the habit of looking for dentist when there was discomfort and injury and was satisfied. The prosthetic hygiene knowledge was limited, and the brushing was the most employed method.