Prosthetic rehabilitation status, dental prosthesis functionality and masticatory function in nursing home residents

Objective To evaluate the association of masticatory function with prosthetic rehabilitation status and dental prosthesis functionality in nursing home residents. Background Prosthetic rehabilitation status and dental prosthesis functionality may adversely affect mastication of older people, and this relationship is underestimated in nursing home residents. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included 179 nursing home residents who used dental prostheses [mean (SD) age: 78.9 (9.0) years]. Masticatory function data were determined by assessing (a) masticatory performance using two-colour chewing gum, and (b) swallowing thresholds by counting the number of peanut chewing cycles. Older adults were categorised as: (1) using dental prostheses in both jaws (n = 100) and (2) partially dentate using removable partial dental prostheses (RPDPs) or complete dentures (CDs) in only one jaw (n = 41), or (3) edentulous using CD in only one jaw (n = 38). Stability, retention, occlusion, vertical dimension and defects were considered in assessing dental prosthesis functionality. Results Greater variance of hue (VOH) of the chewing gum and lower swallowing thresholds (worse masticatory function) was associated with edentulous using CD in only one jaw. Older adults wearing dental prostheses with poor occlusion and vertical dimensions presented worse masticatory function. Dental prosthesis stability was associated with lower VOH values. Higher number of chewing cycles while eating peanuts was associated with non-broken dental prosthesis use. Conclusion Edentulous participants using CD in only one jaw and non-functional dental prosthesis use negatively affect the masticatory function of nursing home residents.