Effect of occlusal support on swallowing in patients with a low degree of independence in daily life

Abstract

Using videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing, we investigated the effect of occlusal support on dysphagia and how it might be used to treat this dysfunction. We examined the relationship between dysphagia and sex, age, disease, period between diagnosis and hospitalization, degree of independence in daily life, rehabilitation period, number of remaining teeth, Eichner classification, and dental treatment. There was no correlation between dysphagia and any of the nine items. Patients whose dysphagia improved, showed improvement in the anticipatory and preparatory stages. Dysphagia improved in patients with a greater number of remaining teeth, in those with better occlusal support, and in those who had missing teeth replaced with fixed and removable dentures. We concluded that dentists should take an active role in treating dysphagia.