Is reduced dentition with and without dental prosthesis associate with oral health-related quality of life? A cross-sectional study
Background
Oral health-related quality of
life (OHRQoL) has important implications for the clinical practice of
dentistry and dental research and should contribute to professional
judgment about restorative treatments and prosthetic replacement in
patients who had reduced dentitions. The aim was to compare the OHRQoL
among adults (35–44 years) categorized according to different
definitions of reduced dentition and considering the use (or non-use) of
dental prosthesis.
Methods
This study used data from a probabilistic sample of adults in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2015. OHRQoL was based on none items of Oral Impacts on Daily Performance
(OIDP) index, as prevalence (at least one impact) and extent (the
number of items with non-zero score). We used different criteria to
assess dentition status: (1) Shortened Dental Arch (SDA): having 3–5
natural occlusal units (OUs) in posterior teeth and intact anterior
region; (2) hierarchical functional classification system: a five-level
stepwise classification of dentition; and (3) presence of ≥21 teeth. The
use or nonuse of dental prosthesis was recorded. Negative binomial
regression models involved the adjustment for social determinants of
health.
Results
Nearly half (53.1%) of the
5753 participating adults had at least one oral health issue impacting
OHRQoL. OIDP prevalence in adults with SDA did not differ from those
with more OUs (PR = 1.02; 95%CI 0.91–1.13). Individuals with
non-functional dentition had worse OHRQoL regardless of their use of a
dental prosthesis. Adults with fewer than 21 remaining teeth, ranked
significantly higher in OIDP extent, regardless of dental prosthesis use
(PR = 1.38; 95%CI 1.16–1.63 with prosthesis; PR = 1.62; 95%CI 1.19–2.20
without dental prosthesis).
Conclusions
Individuals with more missing
teeth reported worse OHRQoL regardless of using a dental prosthesis.
Preserving a functional dentition, even with missing teeth, is
compatible with OHRQoL.
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