Evaluation of the quality of life of mono or bimaxillary edentulous individuals seeking care in the public health system.

Abstract

Objective: the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of partial or total edentulism on the quality of life of elderly patients. Material and Methods: the sample consisted of 120 individuals, divided into edentulous patients with bi-maxillary complete dentures (CD) (n = 60) or partially edentulous individuals with maxillary CD and mandibular removable partial denture (RPD) (n = 60). Patients' quality of life was assessed using the OHIP-EDENT-19 questionnaire and the data were analyzed using the SPSS software. Results: patients using RPD presented higher quality of life compared to users of double CD, according to the values presented in OHIP-EDENT. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the groups between complaints related to chewing (difficulty chewing, discomfort when eating, avoiding eating, interruption of meals), psychological discomfort and incapacity (unable to eat), social incapacity (unsatisfactory life), and painful mouth and discomfort (unsuitable prostheses, sore mouth). Conclusion: the type of prosthesis used may influence self-reported quality of life.

Keywords

• Dental prosthesis
• Quality of life
• Complete denture
• Removable partial denture