Factors Related to Periodontal Disease in Denture Wearing Patients

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between denture wearing and periodontal disease in adult patients in Laos. Methods: A total of 200 patients, aged 18 years and over were randomly selected at a dental hospital in Laos. The assessment of periodontal status was based on the CPI Index and behavioral information was gathered using an interview questionnaire. Results: Young patients had less periodontal disease and seldom wore dentures. Only four patients had no teeth. Of the 196 people with index teeth present, 86% had calculus(Code 2) and 23% had 4-5mm pockets (Code 3). None had a CPI score of 0 or 1. Six patients had a fixed partial denture. Among 45 people who wore removeable dentures, 8 wore them when they slept (and 1 sometimes). The periodontal status of the denture wearing patients was worse. Only half of the patients cleaned their teeth at least twice a day. 44% of the respondents consumed alcohol, 84% smoked cigarettes and 4% chewed areca nut. Conclusions: most of the tooth loss was in elderly people. The majority of denture wearers had other risk factors for periodontal disease such as cigarette smoking and poor oral hygiene. The need for periodontal, restorative and prosthetic treatment was high. Oral health prevention and promotion need to be emphasized.