DENTURE TREATMENT NEEDS OF AN OVERDENTURE POPULATION

Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have identified that persons wearing overdentures require regular care and maintenance of their den tures and their remaining dentition. This paper reports on a longitudi nal study of the denture treatment needs of 284 dentures placed in 254 patients seen over a period of 12 years. At placement of the overdent ures, baseline measurements and photographs were made by a single exam iner. These measurements included evaluation of the restorations, abut ment height above the gingival margin, periodontal probing depths, and oral hygiene. Denture status was evaluated by examining stability, re tention, the integrity of the denture bases, and the relationship of t he teeth in centric occlusion. Denture hygiene was also assessed. Base d upon this examination, the subjects' denture treatment needs were de termined. The majority of overdentures were well tolerated, and in gen eral the patients were satisfied with their dentures. The most common denture treatment need was cleaning, followed by adjustment of the den ture bases. Relining was a more common problem in the mandibular arch than in the maxillae. The need for occlusal adjustment did not seem to be a problem after the fifth year, but this might have been because o f replacement of worn teeth or dentures. The majority of denture repai rs were necessitated before the sixth year. Patients who received imme diate dentures did not have greater treatment needs. Looseness of the dentures was the primary complaint, followed by sore teeth and denture -bearing tissues. In spite of their complaints, the great majority of the patients were satisfied with their overdentures.