The effect of denture quality attributes on satisfaction and eating difficulties

The development of a measure, with complimentary normative and perceived needs, for the investigation of functional impairment of individual patients and the investigation of the physical causative bases of impairment.

A consecutive sample of 119 complete denture (CD) wearers attending a Greek department of prosthetic dentistry took part in the study. All subjects presented with some complaint(s) of their dentures.

Functional assessment of dentures (FAD) criteria and structured questionnaires were used covering denture satisfaction (DS) and food difficulties with CDs. The questions used a five-point Likert scale.

The results showed that there were statistically significant associations between satisfaction from dentures and eating specified foods. Statistically significant associations were also found between denture qualities and movement of upper dentures and difficulty eating specified foods, but not with an open question on the difficulty of eating unspecified foods.

This study successfully validated a suitable model for the combined evaluation of denture quality with clear diagnostic criteria and closed questions on DS and perceived difficulties when eating specified foods. This could predict the need for treatment, monitor the impact of care and provide a feasible measure to meet the need of everyday clinical situations.