Can Denture Wearing Increase the Nutritional Status in Pre-Elderly and Elderly Patients?

Abstract Objective: To investigate the relationships among tooth loss, denture wearing, nutrition intake, and nutritional status. Material and Methods: This observational cohort study was conducted on 26 patients (≥ 45 years old) at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia. Tooth loss was classified according to the Eichner Index. The Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to measure nutritional intake (kcal). Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) and Handgrip Strength (HGS) assessments were employed to measure the nutritional status at baseline (before denture insertion), 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after denture use. Results: Significant differences in nutritional intake (p<0.05) between the Eichner B and C groups were noted at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after using dentures. Significant increases in nutritional intake were noted after wearing the dentures (p<0.05) when compared with the baseline values. The nutritional status was considered normal in 65.4% of the patients at 12 months and 38.5% at baseline. Furthermore, the nutritional status 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after wearing denture was significantly improved compared with the baseline values (p<0.05). Significant differences in HGS (p<0.05) were observed between the Eichner B and C groups at 6, 9, and 12 months after using the denture. However, no significant differences in HGS were noted before and after wearing the denture (p<0.05). Conclusion: Denture wearing can improve the nutritional intake and status of pre-elderly and elderly patients.

Relationships Between Tooth Loss and Masticatory Performance, Nutrition Intake, and Nutritional Status in the Elderly

Abstract Objective: To analyze the associations between posterior tooth loss and masticatory performance, nutrition intake, and nutritional status in the elderly. Material and Methods: A total of 158 subjects aged 60 years and older from Depok, West Java, Indonesia were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Posterior teeth contacts were assessed and the subjects were divided into two groups based on Eichner Index; group A2-B3 and group B4-C3. The masticatory performance test was conducted using color-changeable chewing gum. A semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire was used to measure nutritional intake in the form of total calories, and the Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form was used to measure nutritional status. Mann Whitney U test was used to determine differences in masticatory performance, nutrition intake, and nutritional status between the two groups Results: Seventy-four percent of participants were female, and 26% were male. A significant difference in the mean masticatory performance score (p<0.001) was noted between Eichner group A2-B3 (5.66 ± 1.80) and B4-C3 (3.20 ± 1.25). However, no statistically significant difference in nutritional status and calorie intake were found between the two groups (p>0.05) Conclusion: Despite the adequacy of nutrition intake and nutrition status in this population, tooth replacement is necessary to improve masticatory performance in both groups.

Relationships Between Infant Birth Weight and Maternal Mastication Ability, Caloric Intake and Prepregnancy Body Mass Index of Women with Posterior Tooth Loss

Abstract Objective: To analyze the relationships between infant birth weight and maternal mastication ability, caloric intake, and body mass index (BMI) of women with posterior tooth loss. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 52 females aged 20-35 years who gave birth recently and had one or more unreplaced missing posterior teeth. The number and locations of the missing teeth were grouped on the basis of the Eichner Index. Prepregnancy BMI, caloric intake, and subjective mastication ability were recorded Results: A significant difference was observed in the mean infant birth weights between the subjects with good and poor mastication in Eichner A2 (p<0.001), B1 (p=0.039), and B2 groups (p=0.039), that mean infant birth weight was lower in the group of women with poor mastication. The Pearson correlation test revealed a significant relationship between maternal caloric intake and infant birth weight (p<0.001). Mean infant birth weights differed between BMI categories, i.e., underweight, normal and overweight women subjects (2.59 ± 0.18 Kg, 2.99 ± 0.15 Kg, 3.58 ± 0.30 Kg) (p<0.001). The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences between the prepregnancy BMIs of pregnant women with posterior tooth loss and infant birth weights (p<0.001) Conclusion: We found that decreased subjective mastication ability in pregnant women who lost posterior teeth was associated with decreased infant birth weight, whereas higher mean caloric intake and higher prepregnancy BMI in pregnant mothers who lost posterior teeth were associated with increased infant birth weight.

Temporomandibular disorders in elderly patients.

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) is a disorder that is still controversial in terms of correlation between clinical signs & symptoms and age. Most studies were carried out on adult populations with little attention given to the elderly. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the frequency of TMD in elderly population and risk factors pertinent to it. This is a cross sectional study which included patients aged 60-91 of Geriatric Department of National Hospital Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta, Indonesia. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was examined for clinical signs & symptoms. Data was analyzed using non parametric Chi Square test. Although there is no significant p value obtained, there is a clear tendency that occurence of TMD diminishes with age, more male elderly experience TMD and elderly experiencing up to 13 tooth loss might have higher risk for TMD.