Examining the Effects of Removable Denture Use in Patients Over 60 Years of Age

Examining the Effects of Removable Denture on Behavior and Cognitive Skills in Geriatric Patients

Patients over the age of 60 who do not currently have any removable dentures but require them will be included in the study. Patients who will receive complete dentures and those who will receive partial dentures will be assessed in separate groups. Before the fabrication of the dentures, the Mini-Mental State Examination Test (MMSE), the physical normative value test (TUG), and the Oral Functional Capacity (OFC) scoring will be conducted. No intervention will be made to the treatment during the prosthetic treatment process.

The same questionnaires will be administered again three weeks after the completion of the prosthetic treatments. The impact of the use of removable dentures on test results will be evaluated. Additionally, during this session, patients will complete a patient satisfaction test regarding their dentures (OHIP-14 for patients with a removable partial denture indication, and OHIP-edent for patients with a complete denture indication). Patients will be called back after three months, and all tests will be repeated. The relationship between the Mini-Mental State Examination, the TUG test, and the OFC test with patient satisfaction will be assessed and any changes in test scores related to denture use will be investigated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients over the age of 60
• No systemic condition that would prevent the fabrication of removable dentures
• Need for new removable dentures for both jaws
• Ability to read and understand the questions in the tests and surveys
• No barriers to communication or self-expression
• No significant physical disability affecting functionality
• No history of cancer or surgical operation in the head and neck region
• No conditions or medications that could limit test performance (e.g., Parkinson's disease)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients under the age of 60
• Patients who do not require new removable dentures
• Patients whose missing teeth can be restored with fixed prosthetic restorations and who do not need removable dentures
• Patients who are illiterate
• Patients with systemic conditions that prevent the fabrication of removable dentures
• Patients with conditions like Parkinson's disease that could restrict test performance or who use medications with side effects causing unwanted convulsions
• Patients with significant balance issues, who frequently lose balance while walking
• Geriatric patients with temporary or permanent memory loss
• Patients with any history of cancer in the head and neck region
• Patients with severe difficulty in communication and self-expression
• Patients who are not willing to participate in the study