An analysis of satisfaction with complete immediate (over)dentures

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study was to investigate denture satisfaction related to treatment modality, age, gender, denture quality, chewing ability, denture experience and patients' attitude towards denture wearing.

METHODS

In a randomized controlled clinical trial 74 patients who required immediate denture therapy were treated either with complete immediate dentures, or with complete immediate overdentures on the lower canines with and without Dyna Direct magnetic attachments. All patients were evaluated clinically and by questionnaires over a one year period after denture insertion.

RESULTS

Regression analysis showed that the quality of the denture, chewing ability, attitude towards dentures in general and the expectation of the new dentures can explain the variance in denture satisfaction for 23-27%.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that with respect to satisfaction the technical quality of the dentures, as well as patients' previous attitude towards wearing dentures are the most important factors in immediate denture treatment. The treatment modality, having received an overdenture or not, appeared to be unimportant in this respect in the first year after denture insertion.

Immediate complete dentures

When dentists treat patients for immediate complete dentures, they assume responsibility not only for the clinical and laboratory techniques unique to immediate complete denture fabrication, but also the responsibility for informing their patients about their treatment options, instructing their patients in the care of their oral tissues and dentures, and for continuing maintenance of the immediate dentures. Immediate dentures can be a traumatic introduction to complete dentures if patients are not informed fully about the complexity of the clinical and laboratory procedures, the need for immediate denture maintenance, and the costs associated with immediate denture treatment. The importance of 8 to 12 months of continuing care for immediate denture patients must be explained to patients and the dangers of neglecting continuing care must be emphasized.

Satisfaction with complete immediate dentures and complete immediate overdentures. A 1 year survey

The aim of this study was to evaluate denture satisfaction over a 1 year period after extraction of the last teeth. Seventy-four patients who required immediate denture therapy in the mandible were randomly treated, (1) with complete immediate dentures (22); (2) with immediate overdentures on two lower canines without attachments (26); or (3) with immediate overdentures on two lower canines provided with Dyna direct magnetic attachments, inserted on the abutments 9 months after treatment (26). Denture satisfaction was estimated by means of questionnaires, filled out by each patient at certain periods, starting before treatment and ending 1 year after denture insertion. After 1 year approximately 85% of the patients in the three groups were satisfied with their dentures, had got used to them and could eat well. This phenomenon was constant over the whole first year period. No differences in denture satisfaction were found between the three groups. It can be concluded that although patients who receive immediate complete dentures might experience a lot of discomfort during the first year of edentulousness, they are satisfied, in general, with their dentures independent of the treatment procedure.