Association between the type of dental prosthesis and the masticatory performance of institutionalized patients: A cross-sectional study.

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the chewing ability of 97 institutionalized older adults and its relevance to their status of dentition and type of prosthetic rehabilitation. The participants were categorized according to their dental status. The chewing ability was determined by semi-...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Antonia Christina Samiou, Maria Kokoti, Theodora Slini, Vassiliki Anastassiadou, Bernd Kordaß, Athina Bakopoulou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307824000912
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the chewing ability of 97 institutionalized older adults and its relevance to their status of dentition and type of prosthetic rehabilitation. The participants were categorized according to their dental status. The chewing ability was determined by semi-quantitative evaluation of a colour-changeable chewing gum and by recording the personal perception of the participants on a similar scale. The colorimetric means of the participants was significantly lower than the perception means. One-third of the participants had at least one jaw restored with complete dentures, while 17% were restored with tooth-supported or implant-supported fixed partial dentures. Based on the colorimetric method, edentulous participants displayed significantly lower chewing performance compared to all other groups. Additionally, participants with at least one complete denture exhibited weaker chewing function than those with natural teeth or fixed partial dentures. The age and sex of the participants had no further impact on the results. As the institutionalized elderly seem to overestimate their chewing efficiency, the colour changeable chewing gum could be used in nursing homes, as a simple method to determine their real masticatory function status and improve their dental care.
ISSN:2950-3078