Risk factors for mandibular bone resorption in complete denture wearers

Area of Science:

• Dental Prosthodontics
• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• Geriatric Dentistry

Background:

• Mandibular ridge resorption rate (RRR) is a critical concern for complete denture (CD) wearers.
• Patient-specific and prosthesis-related factors may influence the rate of bone loss in the mandible.
• Understanding these factors is essential for improving long-term denture success and patient quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of patient-related factors (age, sex, bruxism, general health) and prosthesis-related factors (previous CD use, duration, nocturnal wear) on mandibular RRR.
• To identify significant predictors of accelerated mandibular bone loss in edentulous patients wearing complete dentures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study involving edentulous patients seeking complete denture treatment.
• Mandibular RRR estimation using panoramic radiographs, measuring alveolar process height relative to the mental foramen.
• Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA and Student's t-test to evaluate influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Age (older than 60 years), previous use of old complete dentures, and a history of bruxism were statistically significant factors associated with increased mandibular RRR.
• Patients exhibiting these characteristics demonstrated a higher rate of mandibular bone resorption.
• Sex and general health did not show a statistically significant impact on mandibular RRR in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Advanced age, prolonged use of older complete dentures, and bruxism are detrimental factors contributing to significant mandibular ridge resorption.
• These findings highlight the importance of considering patient age, denture history, and parafunctional habits when managing complete denture wearers.
• Clinical interventions should aim to mitigate the effects of these identified risk factors to preserve mandibular bone structure.