The influence of fixed prostheses on periodontal health.

The quality of the fixed prostheses is related to the concomitant restoration of the lost oral cavity functions and creation of aesthetics, mechanical strength and hygienic possibilities. While trying to obtain a maximum aesthetic effect and prostheses strength, the hygienic possibilities may be disregarded. The aim of this study was to review the literature regarding the biological (periodontal, peri-implant centred) and aesthetical performance of materials used for fixed constructions in the last decade. The literature survey was performed in MEDLINE (via PubMed), Wiley Online Library, ProQuest data bases for the period from year 2005 to 2017. Articles (11) reviewing fixed dental prostheses and their impact on the periodontal and peri-implant tissue and aesthetics were included. The review shows that aesthetical outcome of soft tissue health could be improved from PES score 7 up to maximum of 14 scores, but during aesthetical improvement (mucosa around implants and extraction sites, crown gingival connection) health of the soft tissue must be assumed as a priority.

Halitosis manifestation and prevention means for patients with fixed teeth dentures.

The objective of this research is to analyse the causal relationship between construction of fixed bridge dentures and the intensity of halitosis manifestations, as well as to establish basic hygiene requirements for construction of fixed dentures which would completely exclude retention of food particles and avoid bad breath. 48 patients (36 men and 12 women), who use fixed dentures for 2-10 years, have been involved in this research. 26 patients wore fixed bridge dentures made of punched tooth crowns, the other 22 patients wore cast fixed dentures. The obtained measurements of halitosis magnitude point to the close connection between bad breath and the construction of fixed dentures. Fixed dentures with tooth crown laps, saddle intermediate parts, as well as denture constructions, which impede complex of mouth hygiene measures, cause bad breath. In this research, the condition of patients' teeth, periodontium, and oral cavity hygiene have been evaluated as satisfactory; the tongue is not perceptibly coated, and patients etiologically have not experienced problems caused by respiratorial or gastrointestinal diseases. The examined patients have not complained of xerostomia problems. In conclusion, it should be admitted that fixed dentures, which make difficult or even completely impede the complex of oral cavity hygiene measures, intensify the development of halitosis.

Connection of functional quality of partial removable dentures and the degree of patients' phonetic adaptation.

INTRODUCTION: Phonetic adaptation is a complex biological phenomenon with a highly individual course, depending on the patient's motivation to use prosthesis, on the functional quality of removable dentures. The aim of the study was to estimate phonetic adaptation in patients with partial dentures, connecting it to alteration in speech quality and dentures functional value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined some peculiarities of phonetic adaptation in 50 patients with removable dentures (50 patients with natural dentition were invited for the control group). The standardized evaluation protocols (12 speech quality determining parameters) were developed separately for Latvian and Russian native speakers. 500 speech video samples were recorded and analysed according to pre-established guidelines. The connection of speech quality and the functional quality of the dentures was assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0. P values equal to or less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: In patients with appropriate functional quality of removable dentures distorted speech production was detected in 25% (pk=0.008) cases and in patients with inappropriate functional quality of the prosthesis - in 40% (pk<0.001). Patients with appropriate dentures functional value were satisfied with their speech performance in 96% (pk=0.674), in the group with inappropriate dentures functional value only 59% (p<0.001) rated their speech quality positively. CONCLUSION: Phonetic adaptation to removable dentures depends on the patient's individual adaptation capacity, prosthetic design and functional value. Thus statistically significant correlation between removable partial dentures functional value, duration of usage and the degree of patients' phonetic adaptation (p<0.001) may be considered to be confirmed.

The influence of the design of removable dentures on patient's voice quality.

The main condition for speech intelligibility is the specific anatomical characteristics of the human speech apparatus and harmonious work of all organs in the human vocal apparatus. The voice quality is characterized by speech intelligibility (relationship between the voice pitch, volume, timbre and speech speed). Improper functional quality (related to retention,support, stability), inappropriate design of the prosthetic base and disposition of artificial teeth are the basic reasons for dyslalia - impairment of utterance with abnormality of external speech organs. In the case of dyslalia a patient may suffer from a defective utterance of separate phonemes. When designing removable dental prostheses, it is important to evaluate the disposition of the artifical teeth (taking into account phonetic pronunciation), make a phonetically beneficial construction of the base of the dentures and restore the lost alveolar bone with the basis of removable prostheses. The aim of this study was to review literature on voice quality and the way it can be affected after the insertion of removable dental prostheses and to research the literature describing the ways how voice quality can be improved. The literature reviewed in the paper was retrieved from Science Direct, PubMed, MD Consult, Cochrane Libary databases and dates back to the period from 1990 to 2012.

Quantity and quality analysis of dental prosthodontics among retirement age residents from nursing homes in different regions of Latvia and retirement age patients from dental clinic in Riga.

INTRODUCTION: The quality of life is closely related with condition of oral health, influence of subjective factors on the whole human body and patients perception of their oral health. In spite of the fact that the most part of Latvian retirement age residents use low-quality dentures and assess them satisfactory, these patients often have problems associated with quality of dentures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate oral health status, prosthodontics indicators and patients satisfaction with oral health among Latvian retirement age residents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: There were examined 465 retirement age volunteers (170 men and 295 women), 116 of them in dental clinic Sandent (Riga, 24.9% - control group), 137 (29.5%) in nursing homes in Zemgale and 212 (45.6%) in nursing homes in Kurzeme (Zemgale and Kurzeme are districts of Latvia). There were assessed quantity of prosthodontics among patients with partial defects of dental arches, there were estimated quality of dentures and patients satisfaction with existing prosthodontics. RESULTS: Oral health indicators among Latvian retirement age population are better than the same indicators among elderly residents of nursing homes. Among nursing homes residents with partial edentulousness in most of cases in oral cavities remained only few residual teeth which needed treatment. Removable and fixed dental prostheses used by nursing homes residents do not meet denture's quality criteria. Self-evaluation of dentures quality among retirement age residents of nursing homes is better and not correspond with existing dentures quality. CONCLUSIONS: In Latvia the quantity of prosthodontics in respect of partial removable dentures among the retired who regularly visit a dentist does not significantly differ from European retirement age population's dental prosthodontics quantity. Dental prosthodontics indicators of residents of nursing homes in Latvia are unsatisfactory (p<0.001). In retirement age population self-evaluation with quality of dentures is higher than actually existing.

Evaluation of oral health status of retirement-age population in Latvia.

INTRODUCTION. Latvian government Health care financing regulations do not envisage free dental care in nursing homes. Consequently, in this situation arises need to carry out comparative evaluation of oral health status and quantity indicators of dental prosthodontics among retirement-age population in Latvia. The aim of the study was to estimate oral health and dental prosthodontics indicators among retirement-age population in Latvia. PATIENTS AND METHODS. We examinated 465 retirement-age inhabitants in Latvia. We assessed dental status, quantity and quality of the existing complete dental prostheses. We also evaluated the DMF-T index. RESULTS. Oral health indicators among Latvian retirement-age population are better than those for nursing homes residents in the same age group. Complete dental prostheses used by nursing homes residents do not meet denture's quality criteria. Retirement-age patients have oral hygiene problems. CONCLUSIONS. DMF-T index among Latvian retirement-age population is lower than among residents of nursing homes. The major component of DMF-T index is the number of lost teeth. The assessment of dental prostheses among residents of nursing homes showed unsatisfactory results. Retirement-age population in Latvia needs treatment of oral mucosal diseases, improvement of oral hygienic measures and increase of amount of dental prosthodontics.