A longitudinal study of quality of life of elderly with mandibular implant-supported fixed prostheses.
OBJECTIVE
To verify the consequences of implant-supported fixed oral rehabilitation on the quality of life (QL) of elderly individuals.


METHODS
Fifteen patients were studied, being 10 females and five males; all were aged >60 years, were completely edentulous, wore removable dentures on both arches, and were treated with implant-supported fixed dentures. Three QL questionnaires were applied, two related to the oral conditions (Oral Impact on Daily Performance - OIDP - and Oral Health Impact Profile, short version - OHIP-14) and one dealing with global aspects (World Health Organization Quality of Life - WHOQOL-BREF), before 3, 6, and 18 months after surgical placement of implants.


RESULTS
Scores in the OIDP and OHIP-14 questionnaires were better after dental treatment. The WHOQOL-BREF was less sensitive, confirming the higher reliability of specific questionnaires (focal) compared with general questions in such situations.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with implant-supported fixed prostheses improved QL in the elderly; these effects are better detected by specific instruments focused on the subject.
Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of São Paulo - Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. gfelix@usp.br
Giédre
G
Berretin-Felix
Hugo
H
Nary Filho
Carlos Roberto
CR
Padovani
Wellington Monteiro
WM
Machado
D000368:Aged; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000523:psychology*; D003825:Denture, Complete, Immediate / Q000523:psychology; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires