Gerodontology. 2024 Apr 2. doi: 10.1111/ger.12753. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the touch perception threshold of the alveolar mucosa and quality of life of edentulous patients before (T0) and 30 days after (T1) the insertion of new complete dentures.
BACKGROUND: Touch perception is important so that edentulous patients can detect the position of complete dentures in their mouth.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 32 complete denture wearers with good oral and systemic health and no temporomandibular disorders for at least 5 years. At each time point (T0 and T1), two tests were performed (touch perception threshold and quality-of-life scale). The touch perception threshold (Von Frey or Semmes-Weinstein test) was assessed using nylon monofilaments on the regions of the alveolar mucosa of the maxilla and mandible. The Oral Health Impact Profile for edentulous individuals (OHIP-EDENT) was administered to evaluate oral health-related quality of life.
RESULTS: In the maxilla and mandible, the touch perception thresholds for all regions of the alveolar mucosa were significantly lower at T1 than at T0. The OHIP-EDENT mean scores showed that the overall quality of life was significantly better at T1 (3.6) than at T0 (4.7), and a significant improvement in quality of life was observed in all domains of the OHIP-EDENT at T1. For touch perception threshold, effect sizes ranged from 0.4 to 0.8; and for quality of life, effect sizes ranged from 0.4 to 1.0.
CONCLUSIONS: New complete dentures reduced the touch perception threshold of the alveolar mucosa of both edentulous arches and improved individuals’ quality of life.
PMID:38563231 | DOI:10.1111/ger.12753
