The nocturnal use of complete dentures and sleep stability in edentulous elders

Available online 8 June 2013

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the stability of sleep quality and the impact of nocturnal use of complete dentures on sleep quality in an elderly edentulous population over a one-year period.

Materials and methods

Written informed consent was obtained from 172 edentulous elders who agreed to enrol in a longitudinal cohort study. A total of 153 participants completed the follow-up after one year. Perceived quality of sleep and daytime sleepiness were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI, score 0-21) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS, score 0-24) at baseline (T0) and at follow-up (T1). Data on oral health related quality of life, type of mandibular dentures (conventional versus implant-retained mandibular overdenture), nocturnal wear of the dentures and socio-demographic status were obtained by means of the OHIP-20 questionnaire, a clinical examination form and a socio-demographic questionnaire.

Results

No statistically significant differences were detected in the global PSQI mean scores and EES mean scores from baseline (PSQI 4.77 ± 3.32; EES 5.35 ± 3.72) to the follow-up assessment
(PSQ1 5.04 ± 3.50; EES 5.53 ± 4.34). Edentate elders wearing prostheses at night had poorer daytime sleepiness scores than those who removed their prostheses at night (p= 0.003 unadjusted model; p = 0.058 adjusted for age, gender, type of prosthesis and the OHIP-20 total score).

Conclusion

Results of this study suggest that wearing complete dentures while sleeping has little effect on sleep quality or daytime sleepiness.

Comments