Removable dental prostheses did not improve oral health-related quality of life, with Group 2 scoring lower (52.7) than those without deficiencies (Group 0: 55.7).
Does the use of removable dental prostheses improve life satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life in older adults with dental deficiencies?
Removable dental prostheses do not improve, and may reduce, perceived oral health-related quality of life compared to having dental deficiencies without prostheses.
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
Background/Objectives: Tooth loss is a key marker of ageing and is linked to functional, psychological, and nutritional decline. Removable dental prostheses (RDPs) are widely used, yet their impact on life satisfaction and oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) remains uncertain. This study aimed to: (1) identify dental deficiencies in adults aged ≥50 years; (2) assess the use of RDPs; and (3) examine the relationship between prosthetic status, life satisfaction, and OHRQoL. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional analysis included 986 participants from the Białystok PLUS cohort (2018–2024). Dental examinations classified individuals into: Group 0 (no deficiencies), Group 1 (deficiencies without prostheses), and Group 2 (deficiencies with RDPs). Life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and OHRQoL using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Analyses included Kruskal–Wallis test and correspondence analysis. Results: Partial mandibular deficiencies were the most frequent and were less often rehabilitated than maxillary defects. Most prostheses were mucosa-supported. Life satisfaction (mean SWLS = 22.4) did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.326). In contrast, OHRQoL differed significantly (mean GOHAI = 53.8; p = 0.0001), supporting an effect of prosthetic status. Group 0 showed the highest GOHAI scores (55.7), while Group 2 (52.7) scored lower than Group 1 (53.0). Prosthesis users most often reported dissatisfaction with appearance and eating comfort. Conclusions: Life satisfaction appears independent of prosthetic status. OHRQoL, however, is strongly associated with dentition: individuals without deficiencies report the highest outcomes, whereas RDPs—especially mucosa-supported types—do not improve, and may reduce, perceived OHRQoL.
Wnorowska et al. (Mon,) reported a other. Removable dental prostheses did not improve oral health-related quality of life, with Group 2 scoring lower (52.7) than those without deficiencies (Group 0: 55.7).