Assessment of states of dentures and interest in implant-retained prosthetic treatment in 55-year-old edentulous Finns.

One hundred and fifty 55-year-old edentulous subjects (104 women and 46 men) were interviewed. Materials, conditions, functional stabilities, and occlusions of complete dentures, and resorption of alveolar crests were recorded and assessed. The dentures were in good condition in 52% of subjects. Occlusion was correct in 45% of cases. Every fifth mandibular denture exhibited good functional stability. The mean age of dentures in good condition and functionally stable was statistically significantly lower than the mean age of dentures poor in these respects. Severe alveolar resorption contributed to poor functional stability of dentures (P = 0.0068 (maxilla), P = 0.0023 (mandible)) and to incorrect occlusion (P = 0.0177). Good agreement was noted between objective and subjective opinions of denture function (P = 0.01 (maxillary denture), P = 0.01 (mandibular denture)). Although oral rehabilitation with endosseous implants is common and, objectively, needs for such treatment existed, only 22 subjects (15%) who had recently had their dentures renewed and were experiencing problems with functional stability were interested in implant-retained overdentures.