Factors affecting OHRQoL with removable partial dentures: a retrospective cohort study

Objectives: Introduction
Removable partial dentures (RPDs) are used for restoration of missing teeth in partially dentate patients. Previous studies have investigated patient satisfaction and continued use of RPDs as an outcome for success. These studies have highlighted that the replacement of anterior teeth and the number of teeth being replaced are associated with greater success. A detailed search and review of the literature has not revealed any studies that have investigated the impact of particular independent variables such as framework material OHRQoL measures.
Aim
Investigate whether framework material, Kennedy classification, number of missing teeth and patient age are important to success with RPDs as measured by a validated OHRQoL outcome.

Methods: Power calculation based on minimally important difference for OHIP-20 indicated a sample size of 64 patients.
Questionnaires, which included the OHIP-20, were posted to 95 patients who received RPDs at the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital-Sheffield during a prior 8-month period.
Comparison of OHIP scores between groups was done using non-parametric tests as OHIP-20 results were non-normally distributed. Kruskal Wallis ANOVA and Mann-Whitney u tests were used to evaluate between group differences. Correlation was explored with Spearman’s rank (Age/Missing teeth vs OHIP-20).

Results: 57% (n=60) questionnaires returned, accounting for 88 RPDs: 64% (n=56) combined upper and lower, 24% (n=21) upper only, 12% (n=11) lower only. 89% (n=78) were still being worn. Median OHIP-20 was lower for acrylic RPDs (M= 17) than for chrome dentures (M=24), and lower still in patients wearing chrome and an acrylic RPD (M=9). Differences were not statistically significant (p=0.428). Outcomes based on Kennedy classification, and correlations of OHIP-20 with number of teeth missing and age are presented.

Conclusions: Results indicate that it is too simplistic to conclude continued use of RPDs constitutes success. Further research is required to explore the construct of OHRQoL with patients wearing RPDs.