Infections Associated with Dry Mouth Impact on the Efficacy of Prosthetic Restorations

Abstract

Introduction:

Dry mouth, commonly known as dry mouth, substantially diminishes life quality, particularly among edentulous individuals utilizing dental prostheses. Given the scarcity of data on this condition's prevalence and its repercussions for those dependent on denture prosthesis, this investigation seeks to elucidate the relationship between xerostomia, its influencing factors, and its implications for the oral health-related quality of life among denture users.

Methods:

A systematic exploration of scholarly articles published before 2022 was undertaken across six databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, Evidence Based Medicine Reviews Database, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, American College of Physicians Journal Club, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The search was refined to English-language studies involving human participants. Two independent reviewers assessed the articles to determine their relevance based on predefined inclusion criteria.

Results:

The search culminated in the identification of 10 relevant articles, though none reported on randomized controlled clinical trials. The existing body of clinical research on the relationship between reduced salivation and denture stability offers limited evidence, hindering the formulation of definitive clinical guidelines. Consequently, the impact of treating hyposalivation on both denture stability and patient quality of life remains uncertain. This underscores an urgent need for well-designed randomized controlled trials within the denture-using demographic afflicted by dry mouth.

Conclusions:

Our findings highlight xerostomia as a critical determinant of life quality among older denture wearers, overshadowing factors such as dental status or the nature of prosthetic solutions. However, it was observed that the number of teeth or implants in the upper jaw and the utilization of gum-supported dentures across both jaws could significantly detract from the quality of life in this population