Dentistry

Abstract

Satisfaction and Fibromucosa Integrity in Patients Wearing Mandibular Kennedy Class I RPDs

Kássia de Carvalho Dias, Ana Clara Soares Paiva, Camila Maria Bastos Machado de Resende, Patrícia dos Santos Calderon and Adriana da Fonte Porto Carreiro

Introduction: The association between the patient’s satisfaction and the occurrence of ulcers is important for treatment predictability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction level, fibromucosa integrity and relation between these two factors in patients wearing mandibular Kennedy Class I removable partial dentures (RPD) and maxillary complete dentures at the Dental Department of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN).

Materials and Methods: The satisfaction of 52 patients was evaluated based on a questionnaire about current prostheses, reasons for dissatisfaction, personal opinions about the prostheses, function and period 6 months to 1 year after insertion of denture wearing. The fibromucosa integrity was based on the occurrence of ulcers after 24 hours; 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, and 6 months.

Results: A total of 90.4% of the patients (n=47) wore RPDs. Most of the patients (75%, n=39) reported satisfaction with RPDs; functional problems were the main reason for dissatisfaction (21.2%, n=11). The occurrence of ulcers decreased over time. The ulcers were usually located in the region of fornix. Patients were classified into Class III and IV according to the PDI classification. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess any association between satisfaction and fibromucosa integrity and no significant difference was found (p=0.275).

Conclusions: The patients reported appropriate satisfaction with the Kennedy Class I RPDs after 6 months and 1 year. There was no association between patients’ satisfaction and fibromucosa integrity.