Impact of resin bonded bridgework on quality of life of patients with hypodontia

Objectives: To determine the impact of hypodontia on the quality of life of adolescent and young adult patients, and, to assess the impact of restoring tooth spaces with resin bonded bridgework on quality of life of patients with hypodontia. Methods: In a prospective study, 82 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of hypodontia participated. The primary outcome was oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) and this was measured using the OHIP-49 prior to treatment. The pre-treatment sample was then divided into two groups: the test group (n = 40 patients) who had completed orthodontic treatment and had tooth spaces restored with resin bonded bridgework, and, a control group (n = 42 patients) who were still in the process of orthodontic treatment. All patients completed a follow-up OHIP-49, and between and within group comparisons made. Results: The pre-treatment sample included 43 females and 39 males, age ranged from 16 to 34 years (median age 19). Forty-three patients had more than 4 congenitally missing teeth and thirty-nine had <= 4 congenitally missing teeth. There were no differences between the groups prior to treatment. For the test group, there was a significant improvement in median OHIP summary scores (p < 0.001) after treatment. OHIP scores deteriorated to a significant degree for control subjects (p = 0.002). The effect sizes for the pre-post treatment change in both groups were moderate to large. Conclusions: Hypodontia has a significant impact on oral health related quality of life. Provision of resin bonded bridges has a positive impact on oral health related quality of life of patients with hypodontia. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.