Objectives: Satisfactory masticatory function is a significant indicator of improved oral health-related quality of life in older adults, either with or without artificial teeth. The purpose of this study was to examine masticatory performance of older adults with different prosthodontic reconstructions and occlusion, as well as to compare subjective and objective assessment of chewing performance. Material and Methods: This study included 100 participants aged 65 and more. The chewing function questionnaire (CFQ) with answers on the Likert scale 0–4 (0 = no difficulties; 4 = maximum difficulties) was used as an indicator of subjective masticatory assessment. The two-color chewing gum test was used as objective assessment of masticatory function (mixing ability), based on the Z-score values. Dental occlusion was assessed using functional teeth units (FTU). Results: The results obtained using the CFQ and the clinical mixing ability test are in compliance with each other (r = 0.742). A decrease in the number of natural teeth, especially posterior teeth, progressively reduced chewing ability and increased difficulties in mastication. Participants with less FTUs, or with FTUs that are a part of removable denture, had greater reduction in masticatory function compared to those with FTUs composed of natural teeth or fixed partial dentures. Conclusion: This study revealed a strong positive correlation between the subjective masticatory assessment in older adults using the validated questionnaire and the objective clinical test of the mixing ability of two chewing gums. Our data on influence of the number and the type of FTU on masticatory performance will be valuable when planning prosthodontic therapy.

It is unclear how long patients need to adapt to new dentures. This study assessed adaptation and five years of clinical use, comparing complete denture wearers (CDs) and mini-implant mandibular overdenture wearers opposing a maxillary CD (MDI-OD), based on oral health reported quality of life (OHRQoL) and orofacial esthetics (OES). A total of 36 subjects in the CD group (25 females) and 30 subjects in the MDI group (20 females) completed the 5-year study. All patients received new CDs, but in the MDI-OD group, four mini-implants were inserted interforaminally in the mandible before denture manufacture. Participants filled in the OHIP-EDENT and OES questionnaires one day after dentures’ delivery, on the 3^rd, 8^th, 15^th, 30^th day, and at the 1-, 3- and 5-year follow-up examinations. Statistical analysis comprised descriptive methods, X² test, independent t-test, Friedman, and Mann-Whitney test. Both groups' adaptation to new dentures was completed within a month. The MDI-OD group had significantly better OHRQoL in all follow-ups except for the 3^rd and 8^th day, probably due to soreness and pain, the reason why the MDI-OD group had limitation in functioning in the first days after new dentures’ delivery. Already after the third year and at the fifth year, OHRQoL worsened (p<0.01) in both groups. However it was significantly more pronounced in the conventional CD wearers (p<0.01) than in the MDI-OD group. Orofacial esthetics was highly scored in both groups. The scores dropped down only after three years, equally in both groups. OHRQoL, OES, prospective study, complete dentures, mini-implants, adaptation Complete Dentures; Dental Implants; Quality of Life; Dental Esthetics

Background/Aim. Within the elderly population, residents in nursing homes, there is a greather risk of caries, periodontal disease and teeth loss. Assistance of caregivers in maintaininig good oral hygiene besides improving oral health can improve of residents general health and the qulity of their lives. The aim of this study was to examine the attitudes of caregivers and knowledge about oral health, as well as the practice regarding oral care they apply at nursing homes in Serbia. Methods. The survey was conducted at the Gerontology Center Belgrade, consisting of four nursing homes located in the urban area. The study included 58 caregivers. They were contacted on working days, in all work shifts, during January, February and March of 2013. They were asked to fill in a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 26 closed-type questions. Results. The caregivers mostly considered that it was very important to take care of oral health of the residents, but 69% responded that the level of their oral health was low or very low. As the main barriers to oral hygiene maintenance, the caregivers indicated lack of time. The caregivers had more knowledge about periodontal disease than about the main cause of caries and its prevention. Formal medical education had the influence on the knowledge about oral diseases. Oral hygiene procedures carried out by the mayority of caregivers were denture cleaning and tooth brushing. Conclusion. The caregivers were aware of the limitations in everyday oral care of nursing homes residents in Serbia, although solving these problems requires the involvement of the entire public health service.

Background and objectives: Long-term studies of clinical outcomes of mini-implants (MDIs) in the first premolar/canine sites retaining a bilateral free-ending removable partial dentures (RPD) in Kennedy class I subjects have not been well documented. The aim was to assess clinical outcomes in a prospective 5-year cohort study comparing the mandible and maxilla. Material and Methods: Participants (n = 92) who received two MDIs each and a new RPD were reviewed after one, three and five years. A total of 71 participants (82 mini-implants in the mandible; 58 in the maxilla) completed the study. Marginal bone level change, success, survival rates, Modified Plaque (MPI) and Bleeding Indices (MBI) were assessed. Results: The five-year success rate was 93.3% and 93.4% (p > 0.05), in the mandible and the maxilla, respectively. Mean peri-implant bone loss (MBL) increased significantly over five years (p < 0.01) to 0.50 mm in the mandible and 0.52 mm in the maxilla. Age had a significant effect on the MBL (higher rates in younger participants), while jaw of insertion, gender, and antagonistic jaw status did not. MPI and MBI were not significantly correlated with MBL. Conclusions: The insertion of two MDIs in previous first premolar/canine sites for retention of a free-end saddle RPD can be a successful treatment modality in subjects with narrow alveolar ridges.