Influence of Conventional Complete Dentures and Different Attachment Types in Implant-Supported Overdentures on Quality of Life and Nutritional Status in Edentulous Geriatric Patients

Purpose: To determine whether the use of implant-supported overdentures (IODs) with different attachments influences the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) scores in edentulous patients > 65 years of age. Materials and Methods: The MNA and GOHAI were administered to 54 edentulous patients > 65 years of age (mean age = 68.35 +/- 4.1 years) before treatment (A) and 6 months after treatment (B): 10 with maxillary + mandibular conventional complete dentures (CDs); 10 with a maxillary conventional CD + mandibular magnetic-retained IOD; 12 with a maxillary conventional CD + mandibular ball-retained IOD; 12 with a maxillary conventional CD + mandibular Locator-retained IOD; and 10 with a maxillary conventional CD + mandibular bar-retained IOD. Statistical differences between treatment types were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance and paired-sample t tests. The correlation between MNA and GOHAI scores was determined using Pearson correlation analysis (alpha = .05). Results: The difference between mean GOHAI-A and GOHAI-B scores was statistically significant for each type of denture (P < .005). The difference between the mean MNA-A and MNA-B scores was statistically significant for all types of denture except for conventional CDs (P < .05). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between MNA and GOHAI scores (P< .01). Conclusion: Regardless of the type of denture used, treatment of edentulous geriatric patients is important for improving nutritional status and self-rated oral health.