THE INFLUENCE OF DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS ON PATIENTS COMPLAINTS WITH COMPLETE DENTURES

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the most frequent complete denture complaints and to investigate the influence of age, gender and systemic disease conditions on the complaints. METHODOLOGY: This was a retrospective study in which information on the demographic data, medical and dental history of complete denture patients were obtained from their case records. Also the type of complaints and adjustment made to the denture at review appointments were recorded. All data generated were entered into IBM-Compatible micro-computer and analysed using the statistical packages of social sciences (SPSS) version 15. Chi-square test was used to test for statistical significance. RESULT: Eighty-two case records of complete denture patients were reviewed. Fourty-six of the patients were male while 36 were female. The age ranged between 40 and 90 years with mean age of 69.10 (SD=10.6) years. Fifty-one (62.2%) patients had complaints with their dentures during a week review appointment. Pain was the most common complaint 23 (28%), followed by lack of retention, 12 (14.6%). Eighteen (21.9%) patients had systemic medical conditions. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant relationship between patient age, gender, systemic health and denture complaints; but statistically significant relationship exist between types of denture, denture faults and complaints.