Cognitive status of edentate elders wearing complete denture: Does quality of denture matter?

Background Emerging evidence suggests that an individual's level of mastication may play a role in their cognitive status. This suggests that in edentate individuals wearing complete denture, non-optimal mastication via inadequate denture could be related to cognitive status. Objectives To examine the impact of quality of denture on cognitive status of a sample of elderly edentate Brazilian individuals wearing complete denture. Methods This study is a cross-sectional analysis of data collected from 117 edentate elders (mean age 73.7 ± 5.6 years) wearing complete denture, in southern Brazil. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the Brazilian version of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Clinical examination was conducted to evaluate the quality of dentures by use of the FAD (functional assessment of dentures) instrument. Masticatory ability was assessed by self-reported questions. Results The mean MMSE score for the total sample was 23.1 (SD = 4.4) and was associated with age (p = 0.001), education (p < 0.0001), depressive symptoms (p = 0.003), as well as the masticatory ability (p = 0.001) and functional quality of dentures (p < 0.0001). Unsatisfactory masticatory ability was more frequent in edentate individuals with lower FAD score (p < 0.0001) and led to a lower MMSE total score. Unsatisfactory masticatory ability was associated with MMSE scores (p = 0.002) after adjustment. Conclusion The study results support the potential role of optimal functional quality of dentures in maintaining cognitive activity in elders. This association may be explained via mastication pathway. Clinical significance The potential beneficial effect of functional dentures on cognitive status via mastication could encourage preventive strategies to decrease substantial risk of morbidity in elders.