Satisfaction with reduced dentitions in elderly people

SUMMARY Natural dentitions of elderly people are often reduced and the remaining teeth are heavily restored. It is unknown whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied with this situation. To get more insight into this phenomenon 320 dentate non-institutionalized elderly subjects were clinically examined and interviewed by means of a questionnaire. Analysis of the data showed that only 13% of the subjects had at least a complete dentition from the right first molar to the left first molar; 50% had less than four occlusal units, 39% of the subjects were wearing a removable partial denture. Ninety per cent of the subjects was satisfied with the dental state and nearly all subjects mentioned they could chew well (97%), despite the fact that 91% of the subjects mentioned they had to deal with one or more dental discomforts. Satisfaction decreased significantly when the number of the occlusal units was reduced or a removable partial denture was present. The conclusion is drawn that although the dentitions of the elderly are often reduced they are, in general, satisfied with their dental state.