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.

Effect of Gingival Retraction Method to Lateral Gingival Displacement Width

Abstract Objective: To analyze the efficacy of retraction cord with a hemostatic agent in comparison with retraction paste on lateral gingival displacement, to achieve the success of fixed dental prostheses (FDP). Material and Methods: Test samples included 32 teeth that required treatment with metal-porcelain FDP at RSKGM FKG Universitas Indonesia. Impressions were taken before the gingival retraction procedure. From the 32 samples, 16 teeth were retracted using a combination of retraction cord and hemostatic agent, whereas the other half were retracted with retraction paste. Impressions were then taken. The sample was made using cutting die. Lateral gingival displacement width was measured on die-cast using an optical microscope Results: The mean value of group A before gingival retraction was 0.1695 mm, and after gingival retraction was 0.4705 mm. The mean value of group B before gingival retraction was 0.1767 mm, and after gingival retraction was 0.3289 mm. Lateral gingival displacement width between a combination of cord retraction and hemostatic agent group in comparison with the retraction paste group showed a significant difference (p<0.001). The combination of cord retraction and hemostatic agent group showed higher mean value Conclusion: Gingival displacement width as a result of cord retraction with the hemostatic agent was larger compared to the retraction paste. Even though both of them are still considered to be effective in providing access for impression material.