Association between tooth loss-related speech and psychosocial impairment with cognitive function: A pilot study in Hong Kong's older population.

BACKGROUND: Tooth loss has been associated with cognitive decline, but the underlying mechanisms involving speech and psychosocial impairment remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of tooth loss-related speech and psychosocial impairment on cognitive function in Hong Kong's older population. METHODS: Seventy-six Cantonese-speaking participants between the ages of 51-92 were classified into three groups: patients with complete dentures (CD), partially edentulous patients with less than 10 occluding tooth pairs (OU <10), and at least 10 occluding tooth pairs (OU ≥10). Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Hong Kong Version, One-minute Verbal Fluency Task and Hayling Sentence Completion Test. Objective and subjective speech assessments were carried out using artificial intelligence speech recognition algorithm and a self-designed speech questionnaire. The impact of tooth loss on psychosocial condition was evaluated by the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and a self-designed questionnaire. Statistical analyses (one-way ANOVA, ANCOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman correlation test) were performed. RESULTS: Tooth loss was significantly associated with lower cognitive function (p = .008), speech accuracy (p = .018) and verbal fluency (p = .001). Correlations were found between cognitive function and speech accuracy (p < .0001). No significant difference in tooth loss-related psychosocial impact was found between the three groups. CONCLUSION: While warranting larger sample sizes, this pilot study highlights the need for further research on the role of speech in the association between tooth loss and cognitive function. The potential cognitive impact of tooth retention, together with its known biological and proprioceptive benefits, supports the preservation of the natural dentition.

Effect of Antiresorptive Drugs on Osseointegrated Dental Implants: A Systematic Review.

Background: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the impact of antiresorptive drug therapy on osseointegrated dental implants and the association with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Methods: A systematic search, including a computer search of several databases with specific keywords, a reference search, and a manual search of four key maxillofacial journals were performed. Relevant articles were then evaluated and those that fulfilled the five predetermined criteria were chosen to enter the final review. A total of 445 implants in 135 subjects were included in the eight studies analyzed in the final review. Results: The failure rate of dental implants after antiresorptive medication in the included studies was 23%, with 83% of failures attributed to MRONJ. The average time from antiresorptive drug initiation to MRONJ development was approximately 34 months, ranging from 3 months to 16 years. The majority of MRONJ cases were classified as stage 2, and all sites showed either complete healing or substantial mucosal coverage after treatment. Conclusions: This review highlights the significant impact of antiresorptive drugs on osseo- integrated implants, with MRONJ identified as a leading cause of implant failure. The potential role of peri-implantitis as a trigger for MRONJ is emphasized. Regular monitoring and maintaining good periodontal health, especially within the first three years of antiresorptive drug therapy initiation, are crucial for implant success. Physicians and dentists should provide comprehensive information to patients prescribed with antiresorptive drugs, emphasizing the need for an awareness of the risks of MRONJ in the context of osseointegrated implants. A longer term of follow-up is recommended to identify and manage MRONJ around dental implants in an early manner.

Oral Health Status and Oral Health-Related Behaviours of Hong Kong Students with Vision Impairment.

This cross-sectional epidemiological study aimed to describe dental caries and oral hygiene conditions among visually impaired students in Hong Kong. Students aged 6-21 years from two specialised schools for those with vision impairment were invited. Information on sociodemographic background and oral health-related behaviours was collected through an online parent-reported questionnaire. Dental caries and oral hygiene were assessed using the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and the Visible Plaque Index (VPI), respectively. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were conducted to analyse the association between students' background and oral health status. A total of 73 participants were recruited, of whom 57.5% were male. Their mean (SD) age was 12.9 (4.7) years. Their mean DMFT score (SD) was 1.0 (1.8), and 43.8% had caries experience. The mean VPI (SD) was 0.76 (0.30). Their caries experience was significantly associated with their snacking habits (p = 0.013). Male participants had poorer oral hygiene than females (p = 0.048). In summary, dental caries is prevalent among visually impaired students in Hong Kong and their oral hygiene condition is unsatisfactory. Caries experience is significantly associated with snacking frequency, whereas oral hygiene is associated with gender. More specially designed preventive oral health measures should be provided for visually impaired students and their caretakers.