Evaluation of Nutritional Status in Geriatric Patients Before and After the Insertion of Complete Dentures.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to longitudinally evaluate the effect of complete denture rehabilitation on the nutritional status of completely edentulous geriatric patients by assessing dietary intake, biochemical markers, and anthropometric parameters at baseline and at one, three, and six months after insertion.

METHODS

This study was designed as a prospective longitudinal (before and after) clinical study and included 30 completely edentulous geriatric male patients selected from the Department of Prosthodontics, Chandra Dental College and Hospital, Barabanki. The same cohort of participants was followed over time, with each subject serving as their own control. Nutritional status was assessed at baseline (before denture insertion) and subsequently at one, three, and six months after insertion. The assessment parameters included body mass index (BMI) and biochemical investigations, including serum calcium, vitamin B12, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated-measures comparisons to evaluate changes over time, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

All evaluated parameters, including Hb, serum calcium, vitamin B12, serum HDL, and BMI, demonstrated a slight, nonsignificant decrease at one month following denture insertion. However, a progressive and statistically significant increase was observed at three and six months (p < 0.001). This trend suggests an initial adaptation phase to newly inserted dentures, followed by improved masticatory efficiency and enhanced dietary intake.

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of this study, complete denture rehabilitation significantly improved the nutritional status of geriatric, completely edentulous male patients over six months. Notable improvements were observed in key biochemical and anthropometric parameters, indicating the positive systemic impact of prosthodontic rehabilitation.