Denture satisfaction and clinical performance in a paediatric population

The objectives of this study were to investigate the clinical performance of partial upper dentures in children and to assess reported denture satisfaction in this young population.

This was a retrospective study using patients' dental records in conjunction with a postal questionnaire.

The Paediatric Dentistry Clinic, School of Clinical Dentistry, Sheffield.

Fifty-eight children (aged 7-17 years) who had been provided with a partial upper denture to replace one or more missing permanent incisors were included in the study. The patients' dental records were examined for the following details: tooth type missing, presence of retained incisor roots, aetiology of tooth absence, age at which the denture was first provided, total time period dentures had been worn, and frequency and type of any denture repairs or replacements. Next a short questionnaire was sent to each child, which sought an evaluation of several parameters of denture satisfaction including: overall attitude towards wearing a denture, denture appearance, ease of eating, comfort and perceived degree of teasing from peers. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were employed to provide a graded response.

70.7% of subjects had a single missing incisor and trauma was the most common cause of tooth loss (77.3%). The mean age at which patients started wearing a denture was 11.6 years and the mean length of time dentures had been worn, at the time of the investigation, was 2.1 years. A 'T-shaped' denture was most commonly employed (77.5% of dentures). Overall, 36.2% of subjects had required at least one denture repair, 28.2% presenting within a year of denture provision. One or more denture replacements had been received by 60.3% of the patients, and 43.6% had required this within a year. Component failure was highest for the denture tooth (40% of repairs) and a change in the patient's dentition necessitated a denture remake in 66% of cases. VAS scores for parameters of denture satisfaction indicated an overall positive evaluation of the dentures, with the most positive response relating to ease of eating. However, the reported degree of teasing was high and increased with time. The only significant difference for denture satisfaction according to gender was for mastication: girls reportedly found eating easier than did boys.

Children are generally accepting of upper partial dentures, but their poor clinical performance is of concern and there is need for improvement.