Tooth loss, chewing ability and quality of life

Abstract

Objectives:The aim of this study was to observe the tooth loss over age in a sample of Brazilian patients and analyze their ability to chew, relating it to how much is the loss of oral function impact over the quality of life (QoL).Materials and Methods:This is a single center, observational study and the data were collected through clinical examination followed of questionnaires to obtain sociodemographic information, the ability to chew (through the index of chewing ability [ICA]) and QoL (through Oral Health Impact Profile, OHIP-14).Results:The sample was composed by 171 random volunteers with mean age of 47 (SD 15.2). Low number of natural teeth was associated with an increase of age (Spearman's rho correlation coefficient-0.7, P < 0.001, 2-tailed) and chew disability (ICA: chew's ability vs. disability) (Mann-Whitney U-Test, P < 0.001). Chew disability showed a negative impact over the QoL (overall OHIP; Mann-Whitney U Test P < 0.001) and in five of seven OHIP domains (Functional Limitation, Physical Pain, Psychological Discomfort, Physical Disability, Psychological Disability). Age over than 40 years, was also associated with chewing disability (Pearson Chi-Square P < 0.001) and poorer QoL (Mann-Whitney U test P = 0.01).Conclusion:This study observed that the chewing disability produces a significant and negative impact over oral-health related QoL and both, poor QoL and chewing disability are related with the decrease of the number of natural teeth.

Impact of Tooth Loss on Quality of Life

“…In line with these results, another study found a positive correlation between number of missing teeth and age (p <0.001) [10].…”

“…As in this study, other studies had among volunteers a greater number of female participants [14,15], with low schooling [10,13] and low income [10]. Although female participants had higher QOL score (7.74) compared to males (6.09), the difference of impact on QOL between genders was not statistically significant (Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test, p = 0.304).…”

“…A study conducted at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Santa Catarina, observed that chewing deficiency produces significant and negative impact on oral health-related quality of life and both poor quality of life and chewing deficiency are related with reduced number of natural teeth [10].…”

Calidad de Vida Relacionada con Salud Oral: Impacto de Diversas Situaciones Clínicas Odontológicas y Factores Socio-Demográficos. Revisión de la Literatura

“…En pacientes adultos se encontró que una calidad de vida positiva está relacionada con la presencia de por lo menos 10 dientes en cada arcada, prefiriendo los dientes naturales Bortoluzzi et al;Jain et al;Sanders et al, 2009b;Zhang et al), además agrega que su disminución afectan la capacidad de masticar (Inukai et al), tendiendo un fuerte impacto negativo la pérdida total de dientes (Silva et al, 2010a). También en pacientes en los que se le realizó osteotomía de la mandíbula, debido a una mejora a los 2 meses de la estética, función, salud oral y satisfacción (Kavin et al), y en pacientes que recibieron una prótesis removible nueva (Hadzipasic-Nazdrajic).…”

“…Mientras que en otro estudio, el aumento de la capacidad de masticar se correlacionó con las puntuaciones más bajas OHIP y estuvo influenciado por el sexo, años de escolaridad, demanda de tratamiento y estado de los dientes (Inukai et al, 2010). En una población adulta brasileña se encontró que a medida que aumenta la edad (≥40 años) disminuye el número de dientes y la capacidad de masticar, generando un impacto negativo en la calidad de vida, afectando 5 de los 7 dominios: limitación funcional, dolor físico, bienestar psicológico, discapacidad física o psicoló-gica (Bortoluzzi et al, 2012). Así también, en otra población brasileña, a la misma edad y con necesidad de prótesis parcial y total declarada, se encontró un disminución en la calidad de vida (Miotto et al, 2012).…”