[Quality of life and prosthodontics].

Orofacial pain, functional limitations, psychosocial impacts, and concern about appearance are all dimensions of oral health-related quality of life. Consequently, OHRQoL is especially important for prosthodontics. OHRQoL is assessed by multiple-item questionnaires that ask about numerous symptoms, problems and social impacts. 49 items into seven dimensions were developed in the OHIP which was then verified among several different cultural circumstances. Evaluating baseline (To) immediately after treatment (T1) and after a longer observation time (T2), a decrease of symptoms and problems could be followed in prosthodontic care. Fastest improvement in patient satisfaction was observed in case of fixed partial denture wearers. The profile of pre- and post-treatment problems differed extensively among removable partial and complete denture wearers, and only minor problems were found after a longer time of adaptation. OHIP instrument seems to be a reliable indicator of change in oral health-related quality of life, for cultural circumstances deviated largely from each others.