Relation between Clinical Oral Dryness Score and Denture Satisfaction among Patients' in a Tertiary Care Centre, India

Evaluation of Efficacy of Pilocarpine and Bethanechol in Xerostomic Denture Wearers

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of bethanechol and pilocarpine among xerostomic denture wearers.

Materials and Methods:

This in vitro study was conducted in 60 complete denture wearers of both genders. For assessment of salivary flow, resting saliva and stimulated saliva were collected. Patients were split into two groups consisting of 30 patients each. Pilocarpine was given to patients in group I and patients in group II received bethanechol. Salivary flow was measured at baseline, after 2 weeks, and after 4 weeks.

Results:

The mean whole resting saliva in patients of group I was 0.61 mg/mL and in that of group II was 0.65 mg/mL. The mean whole stimulated saliva in patients of group I was 1.35 mg/mL and in group II it was 1.51 mg/mL. The mean whole resting saliva after 2 weeks in patients of group I was 0.83 mg/mL and in group II was 0.92 mg/mL. Whole stimulated saliva in patients of group I was 1.67 mg/mL, and in patients of group II it was 1.86 mg/mL. The difference noted was significant (P < 0.05). The mean whole resting saliva after 4 weeks in patients of group I was 1.23 mg/mL and in that of group II was 1.43 mg/mL. Whole stimulated saliva in patients of group I was 1.98 mg/mL and in patients of group II it was 2.04 mg/mL.

Conclusion:

Authors found that both agents were effective in increasing salivary secretions. However, pilocarpine is a more effective sialagogue as compared to bethanechol in completely edentulous patients with xerostomia.

Characteristics of patients who perceive dental treatment as a cause of oral mucosal lesions

This retrospective study aims to investigate the proportion and characteristics of patients who perceive dental treatment (DT) as a cause of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs). A total of 2,302 patients with OMLs visited the Oral Medicine Department of Pusan National University Dental Hospital. The patients were divided into a study group (280 patients who perceived DT as a cause of OMLs) and a control group (300 randomly selected patients). Percentages of DT types, clinical characteristics, and the frequencies of diagnoses and chief complaint (CC) sites were analyzed in both groups. Among the patients with OMLs, 12.2% attributed OMLs to DT. Among the diagnoses, allergic reaction (AR) and traumatic ulcer/irritation (TU) were significantly more frequent in the study group. The DT types most frequently perceived as the cause of OMLs were implants. According to patients, TU and candida occurred most frequently following denture placement (68-79%), whereas oral lichen planus and AR occurred most commonly following implant treatment (52-53%). The gingiva was significantly more frequent as the CC site in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05 for all outcomes). It is important to inform patients of the potential complications of DT and the importance of regular check-ups.

Evaluation of Satisfaction Perceived by Prosthetic Patients Compared to Clinical and Technical Variables

Objectives:

The purpose of this study is to relate the clinical quality of the complete denture and specific anamnestic factors to the level of satisfaction perceived by patients. Also identifying possible prognostic parameters that could be predictive of future satisfaction.

Materials and Methods:

On the basis of a substantial existing literature, the most appropriate parameters to determine the prosthetic quality have been determined to evaluate the satisfaction perceived by patients about their denture; a completely new questionnaire has been drawn up. Ninety-eight patients have been included in the research, they have undergone a clinical examination, and they have filled out the questionnaire anonymously. The ANOVA test and Pearson correlation test have been employed to relate clinical and anamnestic factors to the overall satisfaction score.

Results:

The average level of patients’ satisfaction was between “quite satisfied” and “very satisfied.” There is no significant variability of satisfaction related to the type of prosthesis. The ANOVA test did not verify relationships between the overall satisfaction score and the anamnestic data examined. Pearson linear correlation coefficient between the overall prosthetic quality and the general satisfaction perceived by patients is 0.493 (P < 0.01). Extension of the prosthetic body (r = 0.478; P < 0.01) and retention (r = 0305; P < 0.05) are in correlation with the overall patients’ satisfaction.

Conclusion:

there is a moderately strong relationship between the overall prosthetic quality and the general satisfaction perceived by patients. Particularly, the retention and the adequate extension of the prosthetic body appear to be factors that are most associated with satisfaction. Instead, the anamnestic factors are not related to overall satisfaction score.