The effect of different attachment systems with implant‐retained overdentures on maximum bite force and EMG

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00389.x The effect of different attachment systems with implant‐retained overdentures on maximum bite force and EMG Objective: To compare the effect of different attachment systems with implant‐retained overdentures on maximum bite force and muscle activity using electromyography (EMG). Background: Denture retention and stability is of considerable interest in prosthetic dentistry. Materials and methods: Thirty‐five patients were examined: 15 edentulous patients treated with mandibular implant‐retained overdentures (MIRO) and maxillary dentures (MCD) (two implant‐ball attachment) (BC); 10 edentulous patients treated with MIRO and MCD (four implants‐bar attachments) (BRC); 10 patients with edentulous mandibular treated with MIRO and maxillary fixed partial dentures (MFPD) (two implant‐ball attachments) (BF). Before implant placement all patients received new dentures. After using these dentures for 3 months the maximum bite force and electrical activity of masseter muscle were measured. Two or four implants were then inserted into the intraforaminal region. After osseointegration periods, patients were treated with MIRO which duplicated their dentures and after three months the measurements were repeated. The data were collected and statistically analysed. Results: Muscle activity and chewing ability increased in the second period of measurements. Also chewing time was significantly decreased at the first measurements. The highest muscle activity was observed in the group of patients treated with group BF. Conclusion: The EMG values of the masseter muscle significantly increased when an implant attachments was used in the overdenture.     

The influence of mandibular implant-retained overdentures in masticatory efficiency

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00539.x The influence of mandibular implant‐retained overdentures in masticatory efficiency Objective: To evaluate the masticatory efficiency of patients rehabilitated with conventional dentures (CDs) or implant‐retained mandibular overdentures. Background: Despite the evident benefits of implants on mastication as assessed by subjective patient‐based outcomes, the extent of implant overdenture treatment effect on food comminution is not well established. Materials and methods: A randomised clinical trial was carried out with 29 completely edentulous patients divided into two groups. The first group was rehabilitated with a mandibular overdenture retained by two splinted implants with bar‐clip system, while the second group was rehabilitated with a mandibular CD. Both groups also were rehabilitated with maxillary CDs. Masticatory efficiency and patient satisfaction were assessed 3 months after denture insertion. Masticatory efficiency was evaluated through the colorimetric method with the beads as the artificial test‐food. Comparisons for masticatory efficiency and patient satisfaction were performed using Student’s t‐test (α = 0.05). Results: No significant statistical difference was found for masticatory efficiency (p = 0.198). Patient overall satisfaction was significantly higher for the mandibular overdenture (p < 0.001). In addition, mandibular overdenture patients were significantly more satisfied with chewing experience (p < 0.05) and retention of the lower denture (p < 0.005). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that mandibular overdenture significantly improves chewing experience, although limited effect on masticatory efficiency has been observed.     

Elders with implant overdentures: a 22-year clinical report

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00628.x Elders with implant overdentures: a 22‐year clinical report Objective: To report on the long‐term survival and prosthodontic maintenance of two edentulous adults with mandibular overdentures supported by hydroxyapatite (HA)‐coated implants. Background: Mandibular implant overdentures are a successful treatment option with positive impact on the quality of life of elderly edentulous adults. Long‐term survival of the implants requires continued rigorous prosthodontic maintenance. Clinical report: Two elderly edentulous adults with mandibular overdentures supported by 2 HA‐coated implants were presented for prosthodontic rehabilitation after 22 years of placement. The implants were osseo‐integrated and surviving at presentation based on accepted criteria. The mandibular implant overdentures suffered recurrent loss of retention and stability. Prosthodontic treatment involving the replacement of defective attachment systems and construction of new sets of mandibular implant overdentures opposing complete maxillary dentures is presented. Conclusion: The long‐term survival of mandibular 2‐implant overdentures requires continued prosthodontic maintenance. A conservative approach in the rehabilitation of two older edentulous adults with mandibular 2‐implant overdentures was described including proper selection of attachment systems.     

Comparing the efficacy of mandibular implant-retained overdentures and conventional dentures among elderly edentulous patients: satisfaction and quality of life

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the satisfaction and the quality of life in an elderly population using either mandibular conventional dentures or implant‐retained overdentures. Materials and methods: A total of 34 patients were divided into two groups: group I – complete dentures users; group II – users of upper complete dentures opposed by implant‐retained overdentures. The subjects were submitted to a questionnaire based on Oral Health Impact Profile and oral health related quality of life to evaluate their satisfaction levels and quality of life with their prostheses. Data were evaluated using a non‐parametric statistical analysis (Fischer test) with significant difference at α = 0.05. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in relation to comfort, aesthetics, chewing ability, overall satisfaction, pain, functional, phonetic, social, and psychological limitations (p > 0.05). Comparing the stability of mandibular dentures, group II presented the better results (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Although the stability of the mandibular implant‐retained overdenture was enhanced compared to a conventional denture, the quality of life and satisfaction levels were similar for both the groups.     

Clinical feasibility of mandibular implant overdenture retainers submitted to immediate load

Gerodontology 2010; doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00374.x
Clinical feasibility of mandibular implant overdenture retainers submitted to immediate load Introduction: Millions of people around the world do not have access to the benefits of osseointegration. Treatments involving oral rehabilitation with overdentures have been widely used by specialists in the oral medicine field. This is an alternative therapy for retention and stability achievement in total prosthesis with conventional treatment, and two implants are enough to establish a satisfactory overdenture. Objective: The objectives of the study were to evaluate 16 patients of both sexes, with an average age of 47.4 ± 4 years, using electromyographic analysis of masseter and temporal muscles and analyse the increase of incisive and molar maximal bite force with their existing complete dentures and following mandibular implant overdenture therapy to assess the benefits of this treatment. Materials and methods: For these tests, the Myosystem‐BR1 electromyograph and the IDDK Kratos dynamometer were used. Statistical analysis was performed using the repeated measures test (SPSS 17.0). Results: A decrease in electromyographic activity during the rest, lateral and protrusion movements and increase of the maximal incisive and molar bite force after 15 months with a mandibular implant overdenture was observed. Conclusion: All the patients in this study reported a considerable improvement in the masticatory function and prostheses stability following treatment. It is possible to propose that the use of mandibular implants overdenture should become the selected treatment for totally edentulous patients to facilitate oral function and quality of life.     

Outcome of implant-supported overdenture treatment--a survey of 58 patients

Gerondontology 2012; doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00524.x
Outcome of implant‐supported overdenture treatment – a survey of 58 patients Objective: The aim of this follow‐up study was to evaluate the long‐term outcome of implant‐supported or implant‐retained mandibular overdenture treatment. Material and methods: Altogether 112 patients treated with implant‐supported overdentures between 1985 and 2004 were invited to the follow‐up and 58 attended the clinical examination. The total amount of implants examined and still in use was 197. The average number of implants installed was three (range 2–4), and the mean length of the implants was 12 mm (range 8–21 mm). There were altogether 48 overdentures with a bar connection and 10 with a ball connection. Results: The most frequent prosthetic complications were technical: loosening of the retentive mechanism (39.7%) and breakage of the matrices (5.2%). The most common peri‐implant soft‐tissue findings were bleeding and slight hyperplasia. The implant‐supported overdentures of 19 patients (32.8%) had been renewed, while 39 patients (67.2%) still used their original overdentures, of which the oldest was 20 years old. Conclusion: The results of this long‐term follow‐up study show that the outcome of implant‐supported mandibular overdenture treatment was excellent. The patients were satisfied with the treatment, regardless of the attachment type used. Removable overdentures are more easy to clean and can be cleaned outside the patient’s mouth, whereas fixed‐implant full‐arch dentures in the edentulous mandible require much more time‐consuming hygiene. This kind of overdenture treatment is suitable also in the elderly, even though their ability to practice appropriate oral hygiene might be decreased.     

The effect of attachment type and implant number on satisfaction and quality of life of mandibular implant-retained overdenture wearers

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00531.x The effect of attachment type and implant number on satisfaction and quality of life of mandibular implant‐retained overdenture wearers Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life and patient satisfaction outcomes of two attachment systems in mandibular overdentures with different numbers of supporting implants. Materials and methods: Sixty‐two edentulous patients with either splinted or single attachments in mandibular implant overdentures with different numbers of supporting interforaminal implants were investigated for patient satisfaction and quality of life in this retrospective study. Comparisons between groups were perceived by the Mann–Whitney U test. Relations among the parameters were investigated by Spearman’s rho correlation analysis. The results were evaluated statistically at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: No statistically significant association is found between visual analogue scales scores and attachment type as well as implant number (p > 0.05), whereas Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)‐14 total scores for patients with 4‐implant‐supported bars were significantly lower than all the other attachment types (p < 0.05). Additionally, a negative (rate = 32.2%), statistically significant association between period of edentulism and total OHIP‐14 scores was detected (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A mandibular implant‐retained overdenture supported with four implants and bar attachments shows the highest ‘quality of life’ score and patient satisfaction is not influenced by the number of implants or attachment type.     

A comparison of patient satisfaction between treatment with conventional complete dentures and overdentures in the elderly: a literature review

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00299.x
A comparison of patient satisfaction between treatment with conventional complete dentures and overdentures in the elderly: a literature review Background: It has been stated that mandibular overdentures are more satisfactory than conventional dentures, but problems relating to the use of retrospective ratings, lack of control group and sequential provision of treatment may compromise the findings. Objective: To establish a comparison between treatment with conventional complete dentures and implant‐retained overdentures in elderly patients by conducting a literature review. Materials and methods: A search of English language peer‐review literature was completed using Medline up to 2008 focusing on evidence‐based research. Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and longitudinal prospective studies were favoured in the review, using a general hierarchical classification. Articles that did not focus exclusively on the comparison of patient satisfaction between complete dentures and overdentures were excluded from further evaluation. The last search was conducted in February 2008. Key terms included quality of life, patient satisfaction, edentulism, complete denture and overdenture. Results: Among the 90 articles found in the initial search, 27 met the inclusion criteria. This included 18 RCTs and eight prospective and one cohort study. Most of the articles stated superiority of the mandibular implant‐retained overdenture therapy over the conventional complete denture regarding patient satisfaction and quality of life. Conclusion: Even with implant treatment presenting higher patient satisfaction and improvement of quality of life, it was not possible to establish a direct comparison between the studies due to differences in adopted methodologies.     

Should edentulous patients be constrained to removable complete dentures? The use of dental implants to improve the quality of life for edentulous patients

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00294.x
Should edentulous patients be constrained to removable complete dentures? The use of dental implants to improve the quality of life for edentulous patients Background: Nowadays, there is some speculation among dental educators that the need for complete dentures will significantly decrease in the future and that training in their provision should be removed from the dental curriculum. Objective: To sensitise the reader to the functional shortcomings of complete denture therapy in the edentulous patient and present restorative options including implants to improve edentulous quality of life in these patients. Methods: Information retrieval followed a systematic approach using PubMed. English articles published from 1964 to 2008, in which the masticatory performance of patients with implant‐supported dentures was assessed by objective methods and compared with performance with conventional dentures, were included. Results: National epidemiological survey data suggested that the adult population in need of one or two complete dentures will increase from 35.4 million adults in 2000 to 37.9 million adults in 2020. Clinical studies have showed that the ratings of general satisfaction were significantly better in the patients treated with implant overdentures post‐delivery compared with the complete denture users. In addition, the implant group gave significantly higher ratings on comfort, stability and ability to chew. Furthermore, patients who received mandibular implant overdentures had significantly fewer oral health‐related quality of life problems than did the conventional group. Conclusion: Implant‐supported dentures including either complete overdentures or a hybrid prosthesis significantly improve the quality of life for edentulous patients compared with conventional removable complete dentures. Therefore, the contemporary dental practitioner should consider other options as well as conventional removable complete dentures to restore edentulous patients.     

Radiographic changes in alveolar bone height on overdenture abutments: a longitudinal study

Objective: Stabilisation of partial dentures is an important part of prosthodontic treatment, particularly in patients with an excessive reduction in alveolar bone supporting their abutment teeth. In these cases, overdenture prostheses are one possible treatment choice. Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of overdentures on the condition of alveolar bone of the remaining teeth, and to evaluate the overdenture concept in the prosthetic treatment of partially edentulous patients. Materials and methods: The investigation was conducted on 22 patients during observation periods of 6 and 10 years. After preparation, all abutment teeth were provided with either amalgam restorations or gold copings. An overdenture in the lower jaw was fabricated for every patient. A special film holder was used to repeat the X‐ray procedure in every patient in the same manner. The radiographs were evaluated using the grid scale. The alveolar bone level of all remaining teeth was evaluated on dental films by measuring the distance between the root apex and coronal border of the alveolar bone. Results: A statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was calculated 6 years after delivery stage between distal alveolar bone levels of experimental abutments under overdentures and the remaining teeth of the control group. Alveolar bone of abutment teeth was considerably preserved, particularly in seven patients observed 10 years after provision of their dentures. Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, the validity of the overdenture treatment in partially edentulous patients is concluded. Good oral hygiene was crucial for the success of treatment with overdentures.     

Resonance frequency analysis of overdenture retainer implants with immediate loading

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00488.x
Resonance frequency analysis of overdenture retainer implants with immediate loading Objective: To evaluate 16 patients of both sexes with lower overdenture and upper complete dentures, by analysing the resonance frequency of the initial and late stability of implants used to retain the overdenture under immediate loading. Background: Oral rehabilitation treatment with complete dentures using implants has been increasingly more common among the specialists in the oral rehabilitation area. This is an alternative for obtaining retention and stability in treatments involving conventional complete dentures, where two implants are enough to retain the overdenture satisfactorily. Materials and methods: The Osstell? Mentor device was used for the analysis in the initial period (primary stability), 3 and 15 months after the installation of the lower overdenture (secondary stability). The statistical analysis was performed with the repeated measures model (p < 0.01). Results: The implant stability quotients were observed to increase after 15 months of the rehabilitating treatment. Conclusion: The use of overdentures over two lower implants should become the treatment of choice for individuals who have a fully edentulous mandible.     

Implant supported dentures: an estimation of chewing efficiency

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00303.x
Implant supported dentures: an estimation of chewing efficiency Background: Treatment of edentulous patients is one of the most demanding tasks the dentist can meet in his everyday practice. Implant based methods help to improve functioning of dentures and life quality of so treated patients. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the chewing efficiency of patients treated with lower complete implant‐supported overdentures and the simultaneous evaluation of treatment results by patients. Materials and methods: For the investigation were chosen edentulous patients, treated with upper conventional complete dentures and lower complete overdentures supported on two implants. In this group of patients, were conducted investigations of chewing efficiency changes, based on the Optocal test and overdentures functioning evaluation made by patients in the survey. Results: The objective evaluation of the chewing efficiency indicated the decrease of this value in the five years of observations. Lower complete overdentures supported on implants significantly increased the comfort of chewing of edentulous patients. Conclusions: The results of the study let us to assess positively the result of the therapy using titanium implants and lower complete overdentures. The therapy described significantly increases the life comfort of the edentulous patients. Decreasing chewing efficiency indicated by the research result should be compensated with the dentures maintaining or the prostheses exchange after about five years of use.     

Accelerated rehabilitation of an edentulous patient with an implant retained dental prosthesis: a case report

This case report details the successful rehabilitation of an edentulous patient using a complete upper prosthesis and a lower implant retained overdenture. The provision of care was split between a specialist centre and a primary care setting. This approach reduced inconvenience to the patient. Modern surgical and prosthodontic techniques also reduced the total delivery time. After initial consultation a new set of complete dentures was prescribed with changes in design to the originals. The patient was also planned for placement of two mandibular implants to stabilise and retain the mandibular denture. The first line of treatment involved provision of a new set of dentures constructed by the patient's general dental practitioner. Dental implants were then placed in a specialist centre and the patient returned to the dental practice for attachment of the lower denture to the dental implants. The benefits and success of mandibular implant retained dentures are well documented. With delivery of the overdenture, the patient reported increased satisfaction with his prostheses which allowed him to eat a greater range of foods and enabled him to feel confident when speaking and socialising.     

Comparison between complete denture and implant‐retained overdenture: effect of different mucosa thickness and resiliency on stress distribution

Background: The effect of different mucosa characteristics on stress distribution of complete dentures and overdentures remains unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different mucosa thickness and resiliency on the stress distribution of complete dentures and implant‐retained overdentures using a two‐dimensional finite element analysis. Material and methods: Representative models of the edentulous mandible were constructed on AutoCAD software according to the groups’ characteristics. In group CD, a model of the edentulous mandible supporting a complete denture was obtained while in group IO, a model of edentulous mandible supporting an overdenture over two unsplinted implants with an o’ ring system was constructed. In each group, mucosa assumed three characteristics of thickness (1, 3 and 5 mm) corresponding to the resiliencies hard, resilient and soft respectively. Evaluation was performed on Ansys software with 100N vertical load applied on central incisor teeth. The principal stress was used as analysis criteria. Results: Group IO showed higher stress values than group CD regardless of mucosal thickness and resiliency. Stress decreased at the supporting tissues in both groups as the thickness and resiliency of mucosa increased. In relation to the supporting tissues, cortical bone showed the highest stress values. Conclusion: It was concluded that the use of an attachment system increases stress values and the thickness and resiliency of mucosa influence more on these values.     

Knowledge of prosthodontic treatment among denture-wearers and non-denture-wearers attending a dental institute in India: a survey report

Objective: Knowledge of subjects regarding prosthodontic treatment may play a role in their acceptance of the prostheses. The purpose of this survey was to assess the knowledge of prosthodontic treatment among the denture‐wearers and non‐denture‐wearers reporting to the Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum. Methods: A self‐designed closed‐ended questionnaire containing 14 questions was designed. Four‐hundred and nineteen subjects aged between 25 and 65 years were surveyed over a period of 2 months. Collected data were statistically analysed using chi‐squared test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: From the 419 subjects surveyed, 140 subjects (33.4%) were dentate and 279 subjects (66.6%) were edentulous either in the maxillary, mandibular or both arches. Among the 279 edentulous subjects, 143 (51.3%) did not use any kind of prosthesis. There was a statistically significant difference in knowledge regarding the replacement of teeth by artificial means, the number of visits required for the provision of a complete denture, problems with dentures among subjects using and not using them (p < 0.001) whereas no significant difference was found among the subjects regarding aesthetics with dentures and socializing with friends. Conclusion: Attempts should be made to raise the level of knowledge of both denture‐wearers and non‐denture‐wearers reporting to the Institute for any dental treatment.     

Complete denture wearing and fractures among edentulous patients treated in university clinics

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00551.x
Complete denture wearing and fractures among edentulous patients treated in university clinics Objective: The prevalence of wearing and fracture of complete dentures was evaluated among edentulous patients treated in two dental schools in Brazil. Background: Acceptance and wearing of complete dentures are related to adaptive behaviour of edentulous patients. However, one reason that could interfere with the wearing dentures is their potential to fracture, which is still a common complication in denture rehabilitation practice. Material and methods: Two hundred and twenty‐four edentulous patients rehabilitated with complete dentures from 2000 to 2005 in Araçatuba and Araraquara Dental School, University of State of São Paulo, were assessed in 2006 and 2007 to answer a questionnaire about wearing and fracture of their dentures. Statistical analysis were performed using Epi Info software and chi‐squared test to compare maxillary and mandibular data (α = 0.05). Results: Almost 26% of the patients did not wear their dentures, and among the remainder, the majority wore the maxillary denture. About 30% of the dentures were fractured, with higher prevalence in the maxillary arch (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Discontinuation of wearing dentures was quite high, especially considering the treatment which was carried out in university clinics. Prevalence of fractures was also high, greater for the maxillary denture, and was one of the main reasons for non‐wearing of complete dentures.     

Perceived sleep quality among edentulous elders

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00426.x Perceived sleep quality among edentulous elders Background: Anatomical changes associated with edentulism are thought to disturb seniors’ sleep. Objectives: (1) To determine sleep quality and daytime sleepiness of edentulous elders. (2) To examine the association between oral health‐related quality of life and sleep quality. Methods: Data were collected at a 1‐year follow‐up from 173 healthy edentulous elders who had participated in a randomised controlled trial and randomly received two types of mandibular prosthesis. Subjective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI, range 0–21), with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to measure the level of perceived daytime sleepiness, and scores ≥10 indicated sleepiness. Results: The mean global PSQI and ESS scores were 4.7 ± 3.5 and 5.3 ± 3.9. There were no differences in sleep quality or sleepiness between those who wore their dentures at night and those who did not. Elders with frequent denture problems were sleepier during the day than those with fewer problems (p = 0.0034). General health (p = 0.02) and oral health‐related quality of life (p = 0.001) are significant predictors of sleep quality. Conclusion: Healthy edentulous elders, independent of nocturnal wearing of their prosthesis, are good sleepers. Maintaining high oral health quality of life could contribute to better sleep.     

Maxillary complete denture movement during chewing in mandibular removable partial denture wearers

Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of maxillary complete denture movement during chewing for free‐end removable partial dentures (RPD) wearers, compared to maxillary and mandibular complete denture wearers. Materials and methods: Eighteen edentulous participants (group I) and 10 volunteers with bilateral posterior edentulous mandibles (group II) comprised the sample. Measures of mean denture movement and its variability were obtained by a kinesiographic instrument K6‐I Diagnostic System, during the mastication of bread and a polysulphide block. Data were analysed using two‐way anova (α = 0.05). Results: Upper movement during chewing was significantly lower for group II, regardless of the test food. The test food did not influence the vertical or lateral position of the denture bases, but more anterior dislocation was found when polysulphide blocks were chewed. Group II presented lower intra‐individual variability for the vertical axis. Vertical displacement was also more precise with bread as a test food. Conclusion: It can be concluded that mandibular free‐end RPD wearers show smaller and more precise movements than mandibular complete denture wearers.     

The influence of age and denture wear on the size of edentulous structures

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the influence of age and denture use on the size of arches and residual ridges in edentulous patients. Design : At two nursing homes, maxillary and mandibular stone casts of 302 fully edentulous patients were utilized to measure the size of the arches and residual ridges, according to age and use of complete dentures. Age cohorts were divided into three groups; 60–69, 70–79, and 80–89 years old. Two hundred and forty‐nine denture wearers used complete dentures for at least 2 years before examinations. Fifty‐three non‐denture users had never worn removable prostheses. Chi‐square analysis (p<0.05) was used to establish the possible relations between the linear values and the size indexes of the ridges and arches and the two examined parameters: age and denture wear. Results : Young old patients possessed edentulous structures that were not significantly larger than elderly old patients in both the maxilla and the mandible. Non‐denture users had significantly bigger arches and ridges in both edentulous jaws than denture users. Conclusions : Young old, non‐denture users tended to have bigger residual edentulous tissues compared to elderly old patients who used complete dentures.     

Association between nutrition and the prosthetic condition in edentulous elderly

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the possible risk of malnutrition among the elderly population. Subjects: twenty‐three pairs of complete dentures were made for a group of patients and 17 upper complete dentures with implant‐supported lower dentures were made for a different group. Methods: The study was performed at the University of São Paulo – Dental Branch, Brazil. The patients were submitted to a nutritional test, as well as to a clinical examination and interview. Chewing ability and patient's satisfaction with their prostheses were evaluated. The nonparametric statistics proof of chi‐squared, level 0.05 was performed and because of the low frequencies. The Fischer test was also used. Results: Patients wearing mandibular implant‐supported dentures were considered well nourished (76.47%) when compared with complete dentures users (43.48%). There was a significant difference between the two groups, concerning to chewing ability (χ² = 5.79) and nutritional status (χ² = 4.35). Conclusion: The risk of malnutrition was higher for elderly wearing complete dentures. The psychological state influences the interest in diet and choice of food.