What are patients’ perceptions of benefits and risks of complete denture therapy? A study

This summary is based on the article published in the Journal of Prosthodontics: Patients’ Perceptions of Benefits and Risks of Complete Denture Therapy (October 2014)

Bàrbara Barbério Miranda, DDS, Mateus Bertolini Fernandes dos Santos, DDS, MSD, PhD, & Leonardo Marchini, DDS, MSD, PhD 

 

 

Context

• Edentulous patients can have problems with feeding, speaking, and socializing. ¹ Some edentulous patients may present an increase in psychological and social problems due to this handicap. Physical consequences of tooth loss also exist: residual ridge resorption, loss of facial support, and a decrease in bite force and masticatory efficiency. ²
• The rehabilitation of edentulous patients can be achieved with conventional complete dentures or with implant-supported prostheses.
• Even with complete dentures, which partially restore function compared with implant-supported prostheses, edentulous patients expect to have a better quality of life after treatment completion. ^{3, 4}
• On the other hand, although the vast majority of patients using conventional complete dentures are satisfied with their prostheses, about 10% to 20% of these patients are not, even when dentures are adequate. ⁵
• Recent studies have indicated a strong influence of psychological aspects on patient satisfaction with complete denture therapy. ⁵

Purpose of the Study

The aim of this study was to assess patients’ perceptions of benefits and risks concerning complete denture therapy. A secondary objective was to assess the influence of clinical and socio-demographic variables on patients’ perceptions.

Key Findings

• Patients presented a positive perception of complete denture therapy, and the risk factors (negative perceptions) received the lowest scores.
• Patient perception regarding complete denture therapy was not influenced by educational level, evaluation of the previous dentures, or marital status.
• Patients’ satisfaction with complete denture rehabilitations are influenced by individual characteristics, such as psychological factors, ^{6, 7} the adaptation process, and perceived health needs, which have to be considered in a sociocultural and economic context. ^{8, 9}
• Dental professionals should be aware of the importance of these variables and should pay attention to patients’ perceptions and expectations during treatment in order to perceive patients’ wishes, using culturally contextualized questions and to know how and when to limit patients’ expectations. ¹⁰
• Most times, the patients have distorted, rather than rational, views of dentists’ treatment.^{11, 10}

References

1. Fiske J, Davis DM, Frances C, et al: The emotional effects of tooth loss in edentulous people. Br Dent J 1998;184:90-93; discussion 79.
2. Tallgren A, Lang BR, Miller RL: Longitudinal study of soft-tissue profile changes in patients receiving immediate complete dentures. Int J Prosthodont 1991;4:9-16.
3. Ellis JS, Pelekis ND, Thomason JM: Conventional rehabilitation of edentulous patients: the impact on oral health-related quality of life and patient satisfaction. J Prosthodont 2007;16:37-42.
4. Yoshida M, Sato Y, Akagawa Y, et al: Correlation between quality of life and denture satisfaction in elderly complete denture wearers. Int J Prosthodont 2001;14:77-80.
5. Carlsson GE: Facts and fallacies: an evidence base for complete dentures. Dent Update 2006;33:134-136,138-140, 142.
6. Bellini D, Dos Santos MB, De Paula Prisco Da Cunha V, et al: Patients’ expectations and satisfaction of complete denture therapy and correlation with locus of control. J Oral Rehabil 2009;36:682-686.
7. Moltzer G, Van der Meulen MJ, Verheij H: Psychological characteristics of dissatisfied denture patients. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1996;24:52-55.
8. Fromentin O, Boy-Lefevre ML: Quality of prosthetic care: patients’ level of expectation, attitude and satisfaction. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2001;9:123-129.
9. Omar R, Tashkandi E, Abduljabbar T, et al: Sentiments expressed in relation to tooth loss: a qualitative study among edentulous Saudis. Int J Prosthodont 2003;16:515-520.
10. Zarb G, Bolender CL:Prosthodontic Treatment for Edentulous Patients – Complete Dentures and Implant-Supported Prostheses (ed 12). Oxford, Elsevier Ltd., 2006.
11. Marachlioglou CR, Dos Santos JF, Cunha VP, et al: Expectations and final evaluation of complete dentures by patients, dentist and dental technician. J Oral Rehabil 2010;37:518-524.