Oral condition of geriatric denture wearers

ABSTRACT

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