Factors Influencing Removable Partial Denture Patient-Reported Outcomes of Quality of Life and Satisfaction: A Systematic Review.
OBJECTIVE
A systematic search of the literature was performed to identify and characterize articles reporting the influence of removable partial denture (RPD) therapy on satisfaction and quality of life (QoL).


METHODS
The literature search for relevant articles published between January 1983 and March 30, 2013 was conducted using keyword searches of electronic databases and complimentary hand searches. The search strategy included the following keyword combinations (MeSH and free-text terms): fail, complication, surviv*, longevity, outcome, patient satisfaction or QoL, and denture or prosthes*, and partial and removable. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, articles focused on the effect of RPD therapy were reviewed and classified according to Strength-of-Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) criteria.


RESULTS
The combined search identified 997 publications; 198 duplicates were identified and removed, leaving 799 references for further evaluation. After abstract review, 209 articles were selected and read; 18 reports representing findings from 4002 patients were included. While two studies were prospective comparative investigations, the majority of studies represented cross-sectional and retrospective studies. Different instruments were used to measure oral health-quality of life (OHQoL) and satisfaction. Several investigations reported a significant association of satisfaction and QoL with either (a) age of the patient, (b) number of occluding dental units replaced, (c) replacement of anterior teeth, and (d) nature of the opposing arch.


CONCLUSIONS
A paucity of detailed investigations concerning outcomes of RPD therapy was noted. Improvement in OHQoL or satisfaction following provision of RPDs was not consistently reported. There is little evidence supporting any association between patient-reported QoL or satisfaction with technical or biological parameters of therapy. Therapeutic success of tooth replacement using RPDs should be carefully considered and compared with alternatives.
Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Ingeborg J
IJ
De Kok
Associate Dean for Research, Department Head, Oral Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Dentistry, Chicago, IL.
Lyndon F
LF
Cooper
Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Albert D
AD
Guckes
Health Sciences Library, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Kathleen
K
McGraw
Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Robert F
RF
Wright
Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Carlos J
CJ
Barrero
Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Sun-Yung
SY
Bak
Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Lisa O
LO
Stoner
D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life
OHQoL; Removable partial denture; patient reported outcomes; systematic review