Prosthodontic rehabilitation of the elderly – a literature review

The aim of the study is to present the prosthodontic problems concerning the stomatognathic system of the elderly. Lack of teeth is commonly known to significantly affect quality of life. Among old people, the endentulous constitute a considerable percentage of inhabitants. The review of research data for the last 50 years indicates that the problem of toothlessness in Poland is still very relevant today. In the 1950s, despite considerable advancement in medicine, the number of the edentulous old people in our country did not change, and until now accounts for 50% of the elderly population. In prosthodontic rehabilitation of patients above the age of 60, various factors should be taken into account, which are not considered in the case of prosthodontic treatment of healthy adults. These include changes related to teeth, atrophy of the bony support, psychic state, difficulties in performing hygienic procedures and visiting the dentists for check-ups, the need for a carer who would help with housework, living in residential care homes, and frequent hospitalizations due to a poor state of health. Moreover, an important problem related to prosthodontics is the state of existing prosthodontic appliances and their hygiene. No significant improvement in their hygiene is noted. (Clin Exp Med Lett 2008; 49(4): 203-206)

Keywords: the elderly, gerontology, oral cavity health