Oral Health-related Quality of Life in Patients Rehabilitated with Clasp-Retained Removable Partial Dentures

Abstract

Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of partially edentulous patients rehabilitated with clasp-retained removable partial dentures (CR-RPD) at the School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza campus. Place and Duration of Study: Removable Partial Denture Clinic of the School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing of the Federal University of Ceará located in Fortaleza, state of Ceará, Brazil, between February 2023 and March 2024. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study was conducted with 45 participants. Data were collected in the first week after CR-RPD placement using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Seven dimensions of oral health-related quality of life were assessed. Data analysis was performed using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests (P < 0.05). Results: It was evidenced that most participants were female (75.6%) and aged between 51 and 70 years (64.5%). The most affected domains were physical pain, psychological discomfort, and emotional disability, while social aspects were less compromised. Patients rehabilitated with mandibular CR-RPDs alone showed higher OHIP-14 scores, suggesting a greater negative impact, although not statistically significant. No significant associations were found with age or type of rehabilitation; however, women reported greater emotional vulnerability (P = 0.003). Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive rehabilitative approach that addresses not only masticatory function and aesthetics but also the subjective and psychosocial aspects of tooth loss, emphasizing clinical listening and individual needs.