Abstract
Purpose：Even though the degree of recovery after dental treatment varies more greatly among patients wearing removable dentures than those without, there have been few studies on the relationship between masticatory function and cognitive function. The aim of this study was to reveal the oral function of elderly people wearing removable dentures with a risk of cognitive decline in comparison with elderly people wearing no dentures and those wearing dentures with normal cognitive function.
Methods：Two hundred a ninety nine elderly people were divided into four groups as follows：subjects wearing no dentures with normal cognitive function, subjects wearing no dentures with cognitive decline, subjects wearing dentures with normal cognitive function, and subjects wearing dentures with cognitive decline. The number of teeth, masticatory function, maximum biting force, and intake of 25 foods were measured by questionnaire and oral diadochokinesis.
Results：Comparing the four groups, the number of teeth and masticatory function declined significantly in subjects wearing dentures with cognitive decline. Furthermore, the subjects were divided into three categories by area of missing teeth and their oral function was analyzed. Masticatory function and intake of 25 foods declined in subjects wearing complete dentures with cognitive decline.
Conclusion：Elderly people wearing complete dentures with cognitive decline have lower masticatory function according to both subjective and objective evaluations.
