title: The impact of obesity on prosthodontic treatment.
abstract: Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and an increasing public health concern that has a negative impact on both overall systemic and oral health. At the same time, the need for prosthodontic treatment has increased and has been projected to be more in demand in the future.  It has also been predicted that the need to provide prosthodontic treatment to an increasing number of obese patients may become routine. However, delivering prosthodontic treatment to obese patients may be a challenge due to their anatomy, physiology, and physical characteristics. It is important to recognize the potential comorbidities and assist patients in seeking necessary help. It may be necessary to modify hardware, equipment, techniques, treatment positions, and/or prosthodontic protocols to ensure that these patients receive the proper care and avoid unforeseen complications. An obese patient with a compromised medical history and complex dental status may be managed best by a multidisciplinary team approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA.
authors.forename: Judy Chia-Chun
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Fatemeh S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Afshari
authors.forename: Damian J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Cortino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sukotjo
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000150:complications; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000150:complications