Prosthetic treatment of older patients requiring long-term care from the viewpoint of dysphagia rehabilitation

Abstract

Removable dentures are often the preferred prosthetic options for missing tooth in elderly patients who require nursing care. Prosthetic treatment of multiple tooth defects is expected to improve masticatory and swallowing functions. Alternatively, because dentures alone cannot improve polypharmacy or dementia-related dysphagia, it is essential to consider the treatment goal in a whole-body unit.

It is required to consider the balance between therapeutic and compensatory approaches according to the conditions of dementia and cerebrovascular disease, which are the causative diseases requiring nursing care. Additionally, it is necessary to consider the psychological and economic burden on the dependent elderly and their families. Finally, after the denture is produced, the author wants to propose rehabilitation to improve masticatory and articulatory functions, in addition to the instruction and adjustment for the denture.