Impact of tooth replacement on the nutritional status of partially dentate elders.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the impact of two different tooth replacement strategies on the nutritional status of partially dentate older patients. Nutritional status was measured using the full version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and the short form of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted (Trial Registration no. ISRCTN26302774). Partially dentate patients aged 65 years and older were recruited and randomly allocated to the two different treatment groups: the removable partial dentures (RPD) group and the shortened dental arch (SDA) group. Nutritional status was measured using the MNA and MNA-SF administered at baseline and 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment intervention by a research nurse blinded to the treatment group allocation of all participants.

RESULTS

Data collected using the full version of the MNA showed significant improvements in mean MNA scores over the length of the study (p < 0.05). For the entire patient group, there was a mean increase of 0.15 points at 6 months and a further increase of 0.19 points at 12 months. These increases were similar within the treatment groups (p > 0.05). For MNA-SF, the analysis showed that there were no significant differences recorded over the data collection points after treatment intervention (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Tooth replacement using conventional and functionally orientated treatment for the partially dentate elderly showed significant improvements in MNA score 12 months after intervention.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Prosthodontic rehabilitation may play an important role in the nutritional status of partially dentate elders.