Factors Affecting Masticatory Satisfaction in Patients with Removable Partial Dentures

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Prosthodontics
• Oral Health

Background:

• Patient satisfaction with dental treatment can differ from objective assessments.
• Optimal strategies to improve masticatory satisfaction with removable partial dentures are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors influencing masticatory satisfaction in patients wearing removable partial dentures.
• To explore the relationship between objective/subjective measures and patient satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• 132 participants (mean age 71.0 ± 9.0 years) assessed masticatory satisfaction via visual analog scale.
• Oral health survey (functional teeth, Kennedy/Eichner classifications), objective masticatory performance (gummy jelly), and subjective ability (food acceptance, OHIP-14) were evaluated.
• Statistical analysis assessed associations between these factors and masticatory satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Masticatory satisfaction showed no significant association with gender, age, denture jaw, Kennedy, or Eichner classifications.
• Higher masticatory satisfaction correlated with improved masticatory performance, food acceptance, and oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-14).
• OHIP-14 score was the sole significant predictor, with 'psychological discomfort' and 'physical disability' subscales showing strongest links.

Conclusions:

• Masticatory satisfaction in removable partial denture users is strongly tied to their oral health-related quality of life.
• The primary determinant of satisfaction is the ability to eat comfortably using removable partial dentures.