Prosthetic rehabilitation status, dental prosthesis functionality and masticatory function in nursing home residents

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association of masticatory function with prosthetic rehabilitation status and dental prosthesis functionality in nursing home residents.Background: Prosthetic rehabilitation status and dental prosthesis functionality may adversely affect mastication of older people, and this relationship is underestimated in nursing home residents. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 179 nursing home residents who used dental prostheses [mean (SD) age: 78.9 (9.0) years]. Masticatory function data were determined by assessing (a) masticatory performance using twocolour chewing gum, and (b) swallowing thresholds by counting the number of peanut chewing cycles. Older adults were categorised as: (1) using dental prostheses in both jaws (n = 100) and (2) partially dentate using removable partial dental prostheses (RPDPs) or complete dentures (CDs) in only one jaw (n = 41), or (3) edentulous using CD in only one jaw (n = 38). Stability, retention, occlusion, vertical dimension and defects were considered in assessing dental prosthesis functionality. Results: Greater variance of hue (VOH) of the chewing gum and lower swallowing thresholds (worse masticatory function) was associated with edentulous using CD in only one jaw. Older adults wearing dental prostheses with poor occlusion and vertical dimensions presented worse masticatory function. Dental prosthesis stability was associated with lower VOH values. Higher number of chewing cycles while eating peanuts was associated with non-broken dental prosthesis use. Conclusion: Edentulous participants using CD in only one jaw and non-functional dental prosthesis use negatively affect the masticatory function of nursing home residents.

Masticatory dysfunction in older adults: A scoping review

“…Tooth loss was the most reported risk factor for a decline in masticatory performance which indicated that a lack of occlusal support was the primary factor that compromises masticatory performance 4,9,11–24 …”

“…Tooth loss was the most reported risk factor for a decline in masticatory performance which indicated that a lack of occlusal support was the primary factor that compromises masticatory performance. 4,9,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Musculoskeletal conditions including frailty and sarcopenia were the second most reported risk factor. 21,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] A systematic review indicated that subjects with sarcopenia had significantly reduced bite force due to masticatory-related muscle loss involved in jaw closure.…”

“…The most commonly used objective measure of masticatory performance was the chewing gum test. 11,13,14,17,20,30,36,[41][42][43]46,47,[61][62][63][64][65][66] Various brands of colour-changing gum have been used including Xylitol, 57,63 Vivident Fruitswing 13 and Gluculumn. 23 Xylitol was the most preferred and is compatible with denture wearers.…”

“…Chewing gum was the most common method found to be used among the older adult population. 11,13,14,17,20,30,36,[41][42][43]46,47,[61][62][63][64][65][66] While slightly varied in brands and analysis, subjects were essentially instructed to chew the gum for a certain number of cycles or time period. The degree of colour change was assessed to indicated masticatory efficiency.…”

Teeth Rehabilitation and Nutritional Influence on Diabetic Patients: A Review

“…Studies have reported the relationship between edentulism and developing DM specifically in DM 2 [ 21 ]. A Mexican study investigating the relationship between complete edentulism and DM demonstrated that edentulous patients have a 1.82 times greater risk of developing diabetes than dentate individuals [ 22 ]. Additionally, a cross-sectional study revealed that older men without teeth had a four times greater risk of developing non-insulin-dependent DM than those with partial or complete dentitions, regardless of age or race [ 23 ].…”