The impact of conventional and implant supported prostheses on social and sexual activities in edentulous adults

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The impact of conventional and implant supported prostheses on social and sexual activities in edentulous adults
Results from a randomized trial 2 months after treatment
Received 17 August 2004; revised 17 December 2004; accepted 7 January 2005. Available online 5 March 2005.
Guido Heydeckea, b, J. Mark Thomasona, c, James P. Lunda, d and Jocelyne S. Feinea, e, f,
Journal of Dentistry
ScienceDirect
aFaculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 3640 University St, Montr?Šal, Que., Canada H3A 2B2
bDepartment of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany
cProsthodontics and Oral Rehabilitation, School of Dental Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, UK
dCentre de recherche en sciences neurologiques, Universit?Š de Montr?Šal, Montr?Šal, Que., Canada
eDepartment of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montr?Šal, Que., Canada
fDepartment of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montr?Šal, Que., Canada
Summary
Objectives
To determine the impact of mandibular two-implant overdentures or conventional complete dentures on leisure and sexual activities.
Methods
One hundred and two subjects, aged 35ǃĎ65 years, received either mandibular overdentures retained by two implants (IOD; n=54) or new mandibular conventional complete dentures (CD; n=48) in a randomized controlled clinical trial. A Social Impact Questionnaire was used to assess the impact on social and sexual activity including avoiding conversation, refusing invitations, avoiding sport and feeling uneasy when kissing and in sexual relationships, and the looseness of the prostheses during such activities. Ratings were recorded on categorical scales at baseline and 2 months after treatment. Oral health related quality of life was measured with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP).
Between and within group comparisons were carried out using regression models. The correlation between post-treatment OHIP scores and the leisure and sexual impact items was assessed.
Results
Two months after delivery of the prosthesis there was significant improvements in the IOD group for looseness when eating, speaking, kissing and yawning. The IOD group reported significantly less post treatment looseness than the CD group for all parameters investigated (p<0.0001). IOD subjects felt less uneasy kissing and less uneasy during sexual activity than CD subjects. Correlations between the two sexual activity items (uneasiness when kissing and during sexual relations) and the OHIP scales were weak.
Conclusions
Edentulism has a negative impact on social and sexual life. Mandibular overdentures provide greater improvement in of unease in intimate activities than new conventional mandibular dentures.
Keywords: Dental implants; Overdentures; Mandibular prostheses; Quality of life; Health status; Oral health; Sexual behavior; Social behavior; Controlled clinical trial; Randomized controlled trial
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