Anophthalmic patients treated with eye prosthesis at a maxillofacial unit in Jordan

Objective: To study the profile of anophthalmic patients regarding age, etiology gender, and the role of the ocular prosthesis in the psycho-social support of their wearers

Methods: A total of 920 Jordanian artificial eye wearers who registered for ocular prosthesis maintenance, repair or replacement attended prosthetic eye sector referral center [King Hussian Medical Hospital], during the period from August 2009 to July 2014 were surveyed. They were divided into three age groups; 331 patients [35.98%] were 1-13 years old children, 128 patients [13.92%] were 14-20 years old adolescents and 461 patients [50.1%] were 21 -75 years old adults and elderly. The group comprised 410 [38.91%] females and 510 [60.09%] males. A satisfaction questionnaire were completed by them or their close relatives using a simple Arabic language to elucidate their degree of satisfaction with several parameters including; appearance, comfort, fit, irritation, degree of self-consciousness, frequency of cleaning, and value of treatment. The percentage and frequency of mucoid discharge associated with ocular prosthesis wear was also studied

Results: Accidents were the main cause of eye loss in children and pathological conditions were more prevalent among adolescent and adult groups. The ratio of males to females losing an eye from accidents was 2.4. The overall rate of satisfaction with ocular prostheses was 89.9%. The variables significantly correlated to patient satisfaction were other people's responses, and insertion of the orbital implant; 95% of the surveyed subjects claimed that the others couldn't notice that they are wearing an artificial eye, 99.5% said that the lost eye affects their social well-being and using the artificial eye improved the condition which was also enhanced by peg insertion or surgical insertion of an orbital mass. Discharge affected 95.4% of wearers - 75.5% of these on a daily basis and negatively affected patient satisfaction

Conclusion: Ocular prostheses play a significant role in psycho-social support and enhance treatment satisfaction of anophthalmic patients in Jordan. Mucoid discharge associated with wearing ocular prosthesis was prevalent and needs an evidence based treatment protocol. Further research into the cause and treatment of this condition is worthy and should be planned

effect of denture stability, occlusion, oral hygiene and smoking on denture-induced stomatitis

This longitudinal clinical investigation was undertaken to find out the effect of denture wearing habit [day versus day and night], denture hygiene and cigarette smoking habit on the frequency of denture induced stomatitis. Comparisons were made between 240 complete denture wearers, half of whom were asked to wear their dentures at the daytime only and the other half to wear the denture day and night. All these participants were male patients with a mean age of 57.6 years who had received maxillary complete acrylic dentures for the first time. Fifty percent of the samples were smokers. A standard method for examination of the mouth and denture construction, insertion and follow up were employed. Putative risk factors [denture wearing habits, denture hygiene and smoking] were investigated. Subjects were recalled 12 months after insertion to examine the quality of the denture and the condition of the maxillary mucosa. No significant correlation was found between deterioration of stability or occlusion and type of habitual use of the dentures [P > 0.05]. Fourteen percent of the cases reported with inflamed maxillary mucosa. Deterioration of retention or occlusion separately showed no correlation with the condition of the mucosa. However, associated deterioration of both stability and occlusion proved to be significantly correlated with the occurrence of denture stomatitis [P < 0.05]. Denture stomatitis was significantly more frequently with subjects wearing their dentures overnight compared with those who removed them [P < 0.05]. A significant correlation was also found between cigarette smoking, poor oral hygiene and the presence of denture induced stomatitis [P < 0.05]. Nocturnal denture wearing habit, deficient oral and denture hygiene, and cigarette smoking are all important predisposing factors to denture-induced stomatitis, however, none of these factors was the sole cause of mucosal inflammation

Oral condition of geriatric denture wearers

To assess the oral condition of a group of low-income geriatric "Denture Weares" at King Hussein Medical Center. A total of 200 elderly patients who attended the prosthetic clinic at the outpatient clinics [King Hussein Medical Center] were selected on the basis of their age [>/= 65]; and the duration of wearing removable complete or partial dentures [<5 years]. The assessment of oral status was based on detailed history and oral examination. Natural teeth were examined for caries and periodontal disease; dentures were evaluated for retention, stability, occlusion, soft or hard deposit and any obvious damage; and oral mucosa was examined for the presence of any pathological changes. Among the 200 patients, 56 [28%] had teeth excluding the third molars while 144 [72%] were completely edentulous. The condition of the full dentures worn by many of the patients was unsatisfactory and a high percentage [68%] of the patients had lesions of the oral mucosa. Many members of the sample were orally handicapped, either functionally or socially since 55.5% complained of oral pain, 60.5% claimed to have difficulty in chewing, 30% were embarrassed due to wearing removable prostheses, 13.5% were embarrasssed due to dropping of their dentures during social contact and 37.5% were not satisfied with their removable dentures and asked for adjustment or replacement. More than 37% of the dentures showed hard and/or soft accumulation of plaque and calculus. The results of the study pointed out a big need for prosthodontic therapy among the examined patient group. However, detailed medical and dental history are to be taken to diagnose any systemic or oral disorder from which the patient might complain or suffer, since it may interfere with the patient's ability to use their dentures properly