Satisfaction with dietary life affects oral health-related quality of life and subjective well-being in very elderly people.

Age-related deterioration in physical and oral health reduces healthy life expectancy and is thus an important problem for very elderly people. We investigated the effects of satisfaction with dietary life (SDL) in everyday life on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and subjective well-being and examined associations between these factors. We evaluated 426 elders aged 85 years or older. All participants completed a questionnaire that inquired about age, gender, drinking status, body mass index, cognitive function, disability, and comorbidities, among other covariates. Oral, physical, and mental health conditions were also examined. Associations of questionnaire results for SDL with items on subjective well-being (Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale [PGC] and World Health Organization-5 [WHO-5]) and OHRQoL (Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index [GOHAI]) were confirmed with multiple logistic regression analysis. In a multivariate model adjusted for various confounders, participants with self-reported "enjoyable" SDL had significantly lower risks for having the lowest scores on the GOHAI, PGC, and WHO-5 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.460, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.277-0.762; OR = 0.589, 95% CI = 0.348-0.996; and OR = 0.452, 95% CI = 0.263-0.775, respectively). These associations remained after further adjustment for number of teeth.

Current status of implant prosthetics in Japan: a survey among certified dental lab technicians.

BACKGROUND: There are many implant cases in which dental technicians take initiative with regard to the design of implant prostheses, and to a certain extent, this area of care is one in which dentists do not necessarily play the leading role. Moreover, inadequate communication between dental technicians and dentists and insufficient instructions for technicians has been highlighted as issues in the past. The purpose of this questionnaire is to improve the quality of implant prostheses and thereby contribute to patient service by clarifying, among other aspects of treatment, problem areas and considerations in the fabrication of implant prostheses, conceptual-level knowledge, and awareness of prosthodontics on the part of the dentists in charge of treatment and methods for preventing prosthetic complications. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was given to 120 certified dental technicians. To facilitate coverage of a broad range of topics, we classified the survey content into the following four categories and included detailed questions for (1) the conditions under which implant technicians work, (2) implant fixed prostheses, (3) implant overdentures, and (4) prosthetic complications. RESULTS: Out of 120 surveys sent, 74 technicians responded resulting in a response rate of 61.6%. CONCLUSIONS: This survey served to clarify the current state of implant prosthodontics, issues, and considerations in the fabrication of implant prostheses, and the state of prosthetic complications and preventive initiatives, all from a laboratory perspective. The results of this survey suggested that, to fabricate prostheses with a high level of predictability, functional utility, and aesthetic satisfaction, it is necessary to reaffirm the importance for dentists to increase their prosthetic knowledge and work together with dental technicians to develop comprehensive treatment plans, implement an organized approach to prosthesis design, and accomplish occlusal reconstruction.

[Influence of oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on stomatognathic system part 1. Occlusion].

PURPOSE: Little information is available on the mandibular protrusion with oral appliances (OA) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) to have no negative effect on the stomatognathic system. The purpose of the current study was to assess the influence of mandibular protrusion on occlusion to fabricate the appropriate OA. METHODS: Twelve healthy adults were selected. With the OA in position, the mandible was advanced 0, 45, 60, 75% of maximum protrusion capacity; bite raising distance between the first molars was 5mm (OA5-0, 45, 60 and 75). The occlusal force, occlusal contact area and occlusal load center following maximum voluntary clenching for 5 seconds were investigated as follows: after wearing the OA for 1, 3 and 6 hours (Stage A1, A3 and A6) and 1 hour after removal (Stage R1). These data were compared with before wearing (Stage B). RESULTS: Occlusal force has significant decrement at Stages A1, A3 and A6 after wearing OA5-75, at Stages A3 and A6 after wearing OA5-60, and at Stage A6 after wearing OA5-0. Occlusal contact area has significant decrement at Stages A1, A3 and A6 after wearing OA5-75, and at Stage A6 after wearing OA5-60. Occlusal load center has significant forward displacement at Stages A3 and A6 after wearing OA5-75, and at Stage A6 after wearing OA5-60. CONCLUSION: To fabricate the appropriate OA in occlusal perspective, it is preferable to set the mandibular position at 45% advancement of maximum protrusion capacity of condyle head in terms of the mandibular positions used in this study.