Oral health-related quality-of-life in patients to be treated with fixed or removable partial dental prostheses

Abstract

Objectives. The aims of this study were to measure and describe the Oral Health-Related Quality-of-Life (OHRQoL) in a population about to receive removable dental prostheses (RDP) or fixed dental prostheses (FDP). Materials and methods. The Oral Health Impact Profile 49 (OHIP-49) was completed by 410 patients about to receive treatment with either RDP or FDP. Objective variables were: gender, age, number of teeth, type of replacement planned (FDP/RDP) and location (one jaw or both) and zone (aesthetic/masticatory/both) of missing teeth to be replaced. Results. Women had a worse OHRQoL than men in the RDP group. Higher age was significantly correlated with a better OHRQoL independent of treatment modality. Participants about to receive FDP in one jaw in the masticatory zone only had a better OHRQoL than RDP participants in the same group. The most frequently reported problems in all groups concerned functional limitations, discomfort and physical disabilities. Little variance in reported items was seen between the sub-groups and social handicap was not frequently reported. Conclusions. The difference in OHRQoL between participants about to receive RDP and FDP was limited. The most frequently reported problems concerned functional limitations, discomfort and physical disabilities. Social handicap was not frequently reported.

Key Words::

• indication
• OHIP
• OHRQoL
• oral rehabilitation
• prosthodontics

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the clinical teachers and the dental hygienist, Lisa Myung Pilegaard Hansen at the Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Institute of Odontology Copenhagen and the private dentists participating by collecting OHIP-49 questionnaires.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.