Impact on quality of life of removable partial denture wearers after 2 years of use

The use of clinical indicators of satisfaction (OHIP) can be applied to evaluate the impact of denture use on patient quality of life, since dental problems and disorders interfere in the normal life of individuals. Aim: This study aimed at evaluating the satisfaction level of patients rehabilitated with removable partial dentures (RPD) after 2 years of use. Methods: An observational study was carried out on 28 patients with a mean age of 45 years, treated with RPD at the Department of Dentistry of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in 2005. Patients signed informed consent and answered the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) questionnaire on three occasions: prior to rehabilitation and at 3 months and 2 years of denture use. Repeated-measures ANOVA was applied for data analysis. Results: A difference was found between data obtained at the moment of fitting and three months after denture use (p<0.001). However, no variation was observed when comparing data from 3 months and 2 years of use (p>0.05). The variables of gender and age did not interfere in the result (p>0.05). Conclusions: The degree of patient satisfaction after RPD installation was significant at the moment of fitting and 3 months after denture use, but no significant difference was found between 3 months and 2 years of denture use.

Mastigatory efficiency in denture wears with bilateral balanced occlusion and canine guidance

The maintenance of masticatory function is especially important for patients wearing complete dentures due to their limitations. Thus, the bilateral balanced occlusal concept is used to achieve greater masticatory efficiency. However, a critical review of the literature reveals that there is not sufficient scientific evidence to support bilateral balanced occlusion as the most appropriate occlusal concept in complete dentures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the masticatory efficiency in complete dentures wearers with bilateral balanced occlusion and canine guidance. A double-blinded controlled crossover clinical trial was conducted. The sample was composed by 24 edentulous patients who wore sets of complete dentures with both occlusal concepts during equal periods of 3 months. Objective data were collected through the masticatory efficiency test performed by the colorimetric method with the beads, in which capsules of a synthetic material enclosing fuchsine-containing granules were used. Subjective data were recorded by patient's ratings of their chewing function. No significant statistical difference was found for masticatory efficiency (p=0.095) between the two occlusal concepts studied. The results suggest that bilateral balanced occlusion does not improve the masticatory efficiency in complete denture wearers.

Mastigatory efficiency in denture wears with bilateral balanced occlusion and canine guidance

The maintenance of masticatory function is especially important for patients wearing complete dentures due to their limitations. Thus, the bilateral balanced occlusal concept is used to achieve greater masticatory efficiency. However, a critical review of the literature reveals that there is not sufficient scientific evidence to support bilateral balanced occlusion as the most appropriate occlusal concept in complete dentures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the masticatory efficiency in complete dentures wearers with bilateral balanced occlusion and canine guidance. A double-blinded controlled crossover clinical trial was conducted. The sample was composed by 24 edentulous patients who wore sets of complete dentures with both occlusal concepts during equal periods of 3 months. Objective data were collected through the masticatory efficiency test performed by the colorimetric method with the beads, in which capsules of a synthetic material enclosing fuchsine-containing granules were used. Subjective data were recorded by patient's ratings of their chewing function. No significant statistical difference was found for masticatory efficiency (p=0.095) between the two occlusal concepts studied. The results suggest that bilateral balanced occlusion does not improve the masticatory efficiency in complete denture wearers.

Estudo Clínico Longitudinal Comparativo da Condição Periodontal de Pilares Diretos de Próteses Parciais Removíveis Dento- Suportada e Dento-Muco-Suportada

Objective: To perform a long-term clinical evaluation of the periodontium of removable parti al denture (RPD) wearers, comparing the direct pillar teeth of tooth-supported and toothtissue supported RPDs. Method: Fifty patients with mean age of 45 years were enrolled in the study. The individuals were examined by a single examiner at the moment of denture installation and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. In each exam, the following parameters were verified: gingival recession (GR), probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) e amount kerati nized mucosa (KM). All patients received oral hygiene instructions and prophylaxis and, when necessary, scaling and root planing. An analysis from the confidence interval was done to evaluate the endpoints regarding the type of denture in the direct pillar group. Results: The tooth-tissue supported dentures showed significantly higher GR, GI and PI values, and significantly lower KM values. Over time, neither of the types of denture presented statistically significant difference from the initial to the final examination for the parameters GR, PD, KM and GI, while the PI was significant only for the tooth-supported dentures. Conclusion: Pillar teeth adjacent to free ends presented a less favorable periodontal conditi on than the pillar teeth adjacent to intercalated spaces. However, the use of RPD did not aggravate the initial condition, after a follow-up period of 12 months. The findings of the study indicate that, within 1 year, there were no significant differences between the direct pillars of the toothsupported and tooth-ti ssue supported dentures, and suggest the need of professional follow up for a longer period.

Estudo Clínico Longitudinal Comparativo da Condição Periodontal de Pilares Diretos de Próteses Parciais Removíveis Dento- Suportada e Dento-Muco-Suportada

Objective: To perform a long-term clinical evaluation of the periodontium of removable parti al denture (RPD) wearers, comparing the direct pillar teeth of tooth-supported and toothtissue supported RPDs. Method: Fifty patients with mean age of 45 years were enrolled in the study. The individuals were examined by a single examiner at the moment of denture installation and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. In each exam, the following parameters were verified: gingival recession (GR), probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) e amount kerati nized mucosa (KM). All patients received oral hygiene instructions and prophylaxis and, when necessary, scaling and root planing. An analysis from the confidence interval was done to evaluate the endpoints regarding the type of denture in the direct pillar group. Results: The tooth-tissue supported dentures showed significantly higher GR, GI and PI values, and significantly lower KM values. Over time, neither of the types of denture presented statistically significant difference from the initial to the final examination for the parameters GR, PD, KM and GI, while the PI was significant only for the tooth-supported dentures. Conclusion: Pillar teeth adjacent to free ends presented a less favorable periodontal conditi on than the pillar teeth adjacent to intercalated spaces. However, the use of RPD did not aggravate the initial condition, after a follow-up period of 12 months. The findings of the study indicate that, within 1 year, there were no significant differences between the direct pillars of the toothsupported and tooth-ti ssue supported dentures, and suggest the need of professional follow up for a longer period.

Simplified versus traditional techniques for complete denture fabrication: A systematic review

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: A number of methods have been described for the fabrication of complete dentures. There are 2 common ways to make conventional complete dentures: a traditional method and a simplified method. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to compare the efficiency of simplified and traditional methods for the fabrication of complete dentures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The review was conducted by 3 independent reviewers and included articles published up to December 2013. Three electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE-PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science. A manual search also was performed to identify clinical trials of simplified versus traditional fabrication of complete dentures. RESULTS: Six articles were classified as randomized controlled clinical trials and were included in this review. The majority of the selected articles analyzed general satisfaction, denture stability, chewing ability and function, comfort, hygiene, esthetics, speech function, quality of life, cost, and fabrication time. CONCLUSIONS: Although the studies reviewed demonstrate some advantages of simplified over traditional prostheses, such as lower cost and clinical time, good chewing efficiency, and a positive effect on the quality of life, the reports related the use of different simplified methods for the fabrication of complete dentures. Additional randomized controlled trials that used similar simplified techniques for the fabrication of complete dentures should be performed with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods.

Bacteriologic investigation of the effects of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine during the endodontic treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis

SIQUEIRA JR. et al. Bacteriologic investigation of the effects of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine during the endodontic treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis. Oral Surg. Oral Med. Oral Pathol. Oral Radiol. Endod., v. 104, n. 1, p. 122-130, 2007.