1. What & Relevance Of Prosthodontics

Question 0

PROSTHODONTIC TERMS
from The Academy of Prosthodontics 2005

4) Edentulism
5) Complete Denture Prosthodontics
6) Complete RDP

Answer 0

4) Edentulism
The state of being edentulous (without all natural teeth)

5) Complete Denture Prosthodontics
The body of knowledge and skills pertaining to the restoration of the edentulous arch with a removable dental prosthesis

6) Complete RDP
A removable dental prosthesis that replaces the entire dentition and the associated structures of these maxilla and mandible

Question 1

PROSTHODONTIC TERMS
from The Academy of Prosthodontics 2005

1) Removable Prosthodontics
2) Ancillary Prosthesis
3) Removable Dental Prosthesis

Answer 1

1) Removable Prosthodontics
A branch of prosthodontics concerning the replacement of teeth and contiguous structures for endentulous or partially endentulous patients by artificial substitutes that are readily removable from the mouth.

2) Ancillary Prostheses
Removable supporting appliances such as occlusal splints, mouth guard and medication carriers

3) RDP
Any dental prosthesis that replaces some or all teeth in a partially dentate or edentate arch that can be removed and replaced at will. Retention of such appliance can be tissue retained, tooth retained, implant retained or tooth&implant retained.

Question 2

Current Prevalence of Prosthodontics

Discuss the current (and past) prevalence of prosthodontic patients.

Answer 2

1995: Carter, N. National Dental Telephone Survey
- Edentulism has declined over the years 1976-1995 from 66% to 42%
- Carter found the prevalence in regional areas, though variable, to be
still above 42%

2002: Carter, N & Steward, JF. National Dental Telephone Survey
Found that ____ was more likely to be edentulism,
- Older people: 75y+ = 43.8%, 55-64y = 12.8%
- Lower income households
- Females : even after controlling age.

2003: Adams, C et al. Edentulism in people 60yrs+ from urban, rural and remote.
- 2100 people in WA interviewed
- Prevalence: Urban = 25%, Rural = 34%, Remote = 32%

2002: Cornerstone Research & Marketing, Trends in laboratory industry
- Shows that partial and complete dentures have the greatest increase
in comparison to other services from 1999-2002

Question 4

Edentulism & Future Needs for Complete RDPs

Zarb GA 2004 notes:

Answer 4

• Evidence reveals that despite decline in edentulism, the unmet need
  for complete denture treatment remains high
• Predictions from several surveys (as mentioned in other cards)
  indicate that due to increase in elderly population, there is
  an increased demand of prosthodontic work
• Note that clinical experience also suggest that cumulative
  consequence of biological ageing and chronological ageing will
  likely cause an increase number of difficult edentulous mouths
  requiring treatment.

Question 5

Future of Prosthodontics
Common argument for reduction of rem pros in dental schools is
- Prevalence of Edentulism has declined
- Prosthodontist can do the work

Answer 5

However, geographical limitations of prosthodontic services means that if rem pros is removed from dental school programs, lack of prosthodontic services in areas with no prosthodontists becomes a very possible issue.
Furthermore, prevalence of Edentulism is not decreasing. Many argue that due to improved dental awareness and care, edentulism is in decline. This is partially correct. As a population percentage, edentulism is indeed decreasing, however, the number of patients that require prosthodontic work is actually increasing. Douglass CW et al (2002) predicted a 10% decline in edentulism each decade from 1991-2020. However, prosthodontic workload is expected to increase as there is a predicted 71% increase in adult population over 55yrs+.

Question 6

Cost of Prosthodontic Services

Does financial status correspond to prosthodontic services?

Answer 6

Yes, as noted by Carter, N & Stewart, JF in 2002, there is a very strong association between household income and prevalence of dentures. They found a gradient in denture wearing by household income. Effect was most apparent in the 55-64 age group. Among this age group, 40.8% of those from households that earn less than $12,0000/yr wore a denture. In comparison to the 27.8% of those from a $80,000/yr household.