Oral function decline noticed by prosthodontists

Abstract

Oral hypofunction can be identified through subtle changes observed in routine dental practice, including medical interviews, patient conversations, and oral examinations. Patient complaints such as “difficulty eating hard foods” and “prolonged mealtime,” as well as abnormalities during swallowing, poor oral hygiene, and changes in articulation or voice quality, serve as important indicators. Based on these findings, it is essential to conduct masticatory function assessments and evaluate swallowing function as needed to facilitate early detection.

In terms of management, prosthodontic treatment aimed at restoring both morphology and function forms the foundation, while device design and support for use should be tailored to the patient’s systemic condition and living environment. Furthermore, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams is crucial to maintain and improve the ability to eat orally, which represents a key role of prosthodontists in a super-aging society.