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Association between nutrition and the prosthetic condition in edentulous elderly
Author(s) -
Oliveira Terezinha R. C. de,
Frigerio Maria L. M. A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
gerodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1741-2358
pISSN - 0734-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-2358.2004.00032.x
Subject(s) - dentures , medicine , dentistry , malnutrition , population , orthodontics , environmental health
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the possible risk of malnutrition among the elderly population. Subjects: twenty‐three pairs of complete dentures were made for a group of patients and 17 upper complete dentures with implant‐supported lower dentures were made for a different group. Methods: The study was performed at the University of São Paulo – Dental Branch, Brazil. The patients were submitted to a nutritional test, as well as to a clinical examination and interview. Chewing ability and patient's satisfaction with their prostheses were evaluated. The nonparametric statistics proof of chi‐squared, level 0.05 was performed and because of the low frequencies. The Fischer test was also used. Results: Patients wearing mandibular implant‐supported dentures were considered well nourished (76.47%) when compared with complete dentures users (43.48%). There was a significant difference between the two groups, concerning to chewing ability ( χ 2 = 5.79) and nutritional status ( χ 2 = 4.35). Conclusion: The risk of malnutrition was higher for elderly wearing complete dentures. The psychological state influences the interest in diet and choice of food.