Patient-reported aesthetic and social perceptions influencing attitudes toward molar removable partial dentures: an...

The aesthetic and functional acceptability of removable partial dentures (RPDs) in the molar region is an important concern for patients. However, previous studies have primarily focused on anterior dentition, and aesthetic perceptions related to molar RPDs remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate aesthetic evaluations of molar RPDs and their influence on patient attitudes among denture-inexperienced and denture-experienced individuals. This exploratory cross-sectional study included 38 denture-inexperienced (mean age 55.7 years) and 22 denture-experienced participants (mean age 70.0 years). Different questionnaires were used for denture-inexperienced and denture-experienced participants. The inexperienced group evaluated anticipated perceptions of RPDs using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and multiple regression analysis was performed. The experienced group rated the importance of denture-related factors, which were analyzed using factor analysis. In the inexperienced group, the mean VAS score was 51.2. The overall regression model was not statistically significant (p = 0.096); however, "bad breath" showed a significant association at the individual variable level with patient-reported attitudes toward RPDs (p = 0.043), while metal clasp visibility demonstrated a non-significant tendency (p = 0.078). In the experienced group, two factors were identified: "necessity in social life" and "functional and sensory aspects," with the former accounting for a larger proportion of variance (69.1%). Greater emphasis was placed on social and aesthetic aspects among experienced participants. In conclusion, aesthetic and social factors may be associated with patient-reported attitudes toward molar RPDs, with concerns potentially differing according to denture experience.