Method: We recruited a consecutive sample of 153 patients seeking prosthodontic treatment at the University Clinic in Salamanca (Spain). Patients were treated with tooth-supported fixed prosthodontics (n=46; 30.1%), metal-based partial dentures (n=59; 38.6%), acrylic partial dentures (n=24; 15.7%) or complete dentures (n=24; 15.7%). For all patients, data about their OHQoL were collected using the OHIP-14 instrument before any treatment was performed (Baseline) and again 4 to 6 weeks after it had been completed (Follow-up). We compared the impact on OHQoL of the followed patients with the observed impact among the Spanish general population database.
Result: The baseline impact OHQoL scores of our followed patients were higher than those reported for fixed and removable denture wearers of the Spanish population that were not seeking prosthetic treatment (reference-population). This baseline OHQoL impact was significantly higher in the candidates for acrylic dentures (either partial or total) than that reported for candidates for metal-based partial dentures or fixed prostheses (F=8.365; p<0.001). After prosthetic treatment there were no significant differences in perceived benefits on OHQoL within groups. However, metal-based denture wearers tended to perceive a better improvement than those bearing fixed prostheses. In general, the conventional prosthetic treatment mainly improves satisfaction with the mouth (70%), aesthetics upon smiling (66.7%), and chewing ability (54.9%). However, pain and chewing ability worsened in 25% and 20% of the treated patients respectively.
Conclusion: Conventional prosthetic treatment is able to restore oral functions satisfactorily in most patients, even when it is performed by dental students. Metal-based removable partial dentures are the most predictable option in terms of patient satisfaction.