Chewing ability and oral health-related quality of life in frail elders after new complete dentures insertion: A paired controlled clinical trial

AIMS: To compare the effect of new complete dentures (CDs) on self-perceived masticatory ability (MA) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in frail and nonfrail elders. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty completely edentulous elders were assigned to two groups: frail and nonfrail (n = 10/each). MA was evaluated using a visual analogue scale. OHRQoL was assessed with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-Edent). Variables were evaluated with volunteers wearing their old and unsatisfactory CDs. Then, a new set of CDs was manufactured and all outcomes were reassessed 2 months after the insertion. Data were analyzed by repeated measures' analyses of variance and Tukey tests. MA for lettuce and peanuts was improved (P < .05) for the frail group after new CD insertion. Psychological discomfort and handicap OHIP-Edent domain improved (P < .05) for both groups after prosthetic treatment. Before treatment, controls reported greater psychological discomfort than the frail group. Meanwhile, the handicap domain score of frail patients improved to a level similar to that of the nonfrail group after treatment. Regardless of frailty, elders showed better MA scores for most food types after treatment and decreased OHIP-Edent domain values. CONCLUSION: Self-reported MA and OHRQoL of frail elderly people were greatly improved after new CD use.