According to the results of this study, denture quality significantly improved patients' oral health-related QoL; however, insertion of new dentures did not influence masticatory efficiency.

BACKGROUNDEphelides are small hyperpigmented macules common in the skin, presenting as areas with increased melanin production. Ephelides are observed in genetically predisposed individuals, particularly fair-skinned people highly susceptible to sunburn. OBJECTIVESThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of lip and perioral ephelides in 362 beach workers in the city of Natal (Rio Grande do Norte) and to investigate potential associations with sociodemographic, occupational and general health. METHODSFor this purpose clinical tests were performed by calibrated examiners in the epidemiological area around the lips and the area bounded laterally by the nasolabial groove and at the bottom by the chin. A questionnaire was completed and assessed. The possible associations between sociodemographic variables, occupational and general health with the presence of lip and perioral ephelides were evaluated by chi-square test for a significance level of 5%. RESULTSApproximately one third of the workers were affected by perioral ephelides (33.7%) and around a quarter of them by lip ephelides (24.0%). Gender was the only variable significantly associated with the presence of perioral ephelides (p = 0.002), unlike lip ephelides which proved to be significantly associated with habits (p = 0.036) and alcoholism (0.030). CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of ephelides in lip and perioral region was high in the study population, with gender and certain habits associated with its occurrence.

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OBJECTIVE: Survival rates of mandibular overdentures on two implants retained by bar-clip system with immediate loading and the factors related to fractures was analyzed.METHODS: Twenty-three subjects were followed for 32 months. Fracture occurrence was the outcome variable, while the thickness of denture base, maxillomandibular space and masticatory efficiency comprised the independent variables.RESULTS: The survival rate was 49.5%, with 34.7% of fractures. There was no association between the independent variables and fractures.CONCLUSION: So, the risk of mandibular overdenture fractures with immediate loading is high. Furthermore, masticatory efficiency, thickness of the denture base and maxillomandibular space did not influence the incidence of fractures.