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Impact of Wearing a Complete Denture Either on One or Both Arches on Eating-Related Quality of Life
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
- This study evaluated the effect of wearing complete dentures either on one or both arches on the eating-related quality of life (ERQoL). ERQoL was adversely affected by wearing complete dentures. New complete denture wearers identified a lack of eating support when they first received their dentures. The need to eat more slowly, limitations in food choices, meal interruption to clear food from dentures, and self-consciousness when eating in public indicated that denture use impacts social well-being in relation to eating.
- A multidisciplinary approach among dentists, dietitians, and speech pathologists using evidence-based resources, including websites and leaflets, to support the transition to eating with dentures is needed to support the nutritional well-being and ERQoL of new denture wearers.
abstract
This abstract is available on the publisher's site.
Access this abstract nowBACKGROUND
Wearing complete denture in one or both arches can impact enjoyment of eating and affect quality of life compared with being dentate. Clinicians focus on issuing technically sound dentures but ignore the impact of wearing dentures on the eating-related quality of life which affects the success of treatment.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this research was to qualitatively explore ERQoL in Australian adults wearing complete dentures using a validated questionnaire and through focus groups.
METHODS
Complete denture wearers (n = 44) were recruited from dental clinics and invited to complete the self-administered Emotional and Social Issues Related to Eating questionnaire. Responses were categorised under the six questionnaire domains. A subsample of 20 participants who completed the questionnaire were invited to participate in focus groups to identify emerging themes.
RESULTS
Twenty-three participants (52.3%) completed the questionnaire. Most participants expressed a decline in enjoyment of eating due to reduced ability to eat, longer chewing times and the need to frequently clean dentures while eating. Focus groups (n = 2 × participants) indicated educational materials on eating with dentures would increase recognition of eating problems with dentures and reduce trial and error approaches to dealing with these.
CONCLUSION
ERQoL is adversely affected by wearing complete dentures due to functional limitations, restricted food choices and adaptive eating behaviours. Patient support for eating well with a complete denture/s wearers is required.
Additional Info
The impact of wearing complete denture in one or both arches, on eating-related quality of life and patients' perceived need for advice to support eating well: Results from a qualitative study
J Oral Rehabil 2024 Jun 14;[EPub Ahead of Print], M Chu, AMBR Ibrahim, CJ Moores, P MoynihanFrom MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
The article explored how wearing complete dentures affects the eating-related quality of life in Australian adults. The impact of wearing complete dentures is multifaceted, involving both physical and psychological factors. Although implant-supported dentures often yield high patient satisfaction in terms of comfort, this does not always translate to an improved overall quality of life. Many edentulous patients report satisfaction with their dentures; yet, some struggle with adaptation, indicating that clinical and technical excellence alone may not suffice.
The key findings indicated that many participants experienced a decline in the enjoyment of eating owing to a reduced ability to eat, longer chewing times, and a frequent need to clean dentures. Self-consciousness and embarrassment were common, especially in social settings, leading to interruptions during meals and reduced confidence when eating in public. Participants often needed more time to eat and found it difficult to chew hard, tough, or sticky foods, resulting in limited food choices and adaptive eating behaviors.
Learning from these findings, I considered the following questions:
Integrating several key factors is crucial to improving the management of complete edentulism. Regular assessments of patient satisfaction, including comfort, fit, esthetics of dentures, chewing ability, and nutritional intake assessment, should be conducted.
Monitoring changes in nutritional intake and status before and after denture provision would be essential to ensure patients maintain a healthy diet. Evaluating the ability to chew and consume a variety of foods, assessing the psychological and social effects of wearing dentures, and providing comprehensive advice and support on eating with dentures are also important.
Additionally, integrating a referral system to primary care doctors and nutritionists is an important step that is currently not established as a standard of care for patients with complete dentures. Primary care doctors can monitor the overall health, and nutritionists can provide dietary advice to help patients maintain a balanced diet and adapt to eating with dentures. Regular follow-up appointments to adjust the dentures and address any issues related to fit, comfort, and function are necessary. By adopting these strategies, dental practitioners can ensure a better approach to complete denture treatments, ultimately improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.