Identification of intra oral complaint zones in denture wearers

Abstract

Objective: To identify the most common complaint areas in patients wearing complete dentures and evaluate the relationship of denture discomfort with systemic diseases. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Place and Duration: Department of Prosthodontics, Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi, from 1st June 2018 to 30th November 2019. Methodology: Both male and female patients with edentate upper/lower or both arches, rehabilitated with conventional complete dentures were included in the study. At the follow up visit, clinical evaluation of patient’s oral cavity was carried out. The frequency of the post insertion complaints at particular intraoral areas was noted along with demographics and systemic disease in a self- structured validated questionnaire. Results: In maxilla (N=551), the most common complaint areas were the labial vestibule and labial frenum with pain (30.9%) and ulceration (4.9%) being the most common complaints. In mandible (N=551), anterior ridge crest was the most common complaint with pain (18.7%) and ulceration (6.5%).A significance difference (p= <0.001) was found in relationship of pain with systematic disease. A significant relationship was also found between gender and complaint areas. Conclusion: Pain and ulceration were the most prevalent complaints reported by new complete denture wearers. Moreover, the labial frenum and vestibule in maxilla and anterior alveolar ridge crest in the mandible were the most common intraoral complaint zones identified in this study. Keywords: Adaptation, Complete Denture, Oral health, Prosthodontics, Postoperative, Rehabilitation