Evaluation of satisfaction with masticatory efficiency of new conventional complete dentures in edentulous patients--a survey.

BACKGROUND

Knowing how patients really feel after treatment is, very often, as relevant as the success rate of the conventional dentures and it can even be the measurement of masticatory function.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

This questionnaire survey aimed to analyse the satisfaction level and masticatory efficiency of patients treated with conventional complete dentures.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Thirty edentulous patients were considered in the study. Satisfaction level and masticatory efficiency were analysed based on specific questionnaires for edentulous patients and by a likert rating scale from 0 to 5, at three moments: Prior to treatment (edentulous period), after the insertion of the new dentures and at 30-45 days follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients including 12 male and 18 female patients (mean age 65 years), who voluntarily came for the services. T-test was applied at three different levels.

RESULTS

The rehabilitation with conventional complete dentures produced an improvement (p < 0.05) in satisfaction level and masticatory efficiency.

CONCLUSION

Thus, those patients who were edentulous previously and dissatisfied with their masticatory ability showed improvement after receiving a new set of conventional complete dentures.