Pattern of prosthodontic rehabilitation of completely edentulous patients in a Nigerian teaching hospital: a 10-year review

Background: The negative effects of edentulism, such as inability to chew properly, poor aesthetics, and self-esteem can be addressed by rehabilitation with different types of complete dentures. Objective: This study retrospectively assessed the pattern of prosthodontic rehabilitation of completely edentulous patients treated at the dental centre, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan over a ten-year period. Methods: A retrospective study which assessed patients who were treated with complete dentures between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2023.  Patients’ details were retrieved from the medical records unit of the Dental centre, UCH, Ibadan.  Data collected included socio-demographics, indications and types of complete dentures. The data generated was analysed using the IBM SPSS version 23. Analysis was done using frequency and percentages of categorical variables and Fisher’s exact test was used to test for statistical significance. Result: Case records of 85 patients treated with complete dentures were reviewed. Thirty-nine (45.9%) were males, while forty-six (54.1%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 68.71 (SD±14.25) years. Conventional dentures were the most common 81 (95.3%) type of dentures fitted for the patients and mastication (70.7%) was the major reason for requesting complete dentures. The majority, 66 (77.6%) were satisfied with treatment with complete dentures and there was a statistically significant relationship (p=0.040) between age of patients and satisfaction with complete dentures. Conclusion: Periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss among the elderly, often resulting in chewing difficulties that drive the demand for complete dentures, with acrylic dentures being the most common prosthodontic treatment.