OBJECTIVES

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to gather the best available evidence to determine patients’ oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) improvement after treatment with partial dentures.

METHODS

We searched electronic databases from January 2010 to September 2019, including PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar. In this paper, studies were included only if the average age was 30 years and above and also published in English. Two reviewers independently screened and selected all the references based on inclusion criteria using the PRISMA guideline, and assessed the quality of the included references using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) quality assessment tools. Data extracted were analyzed in RevMan 5.0 software, the heterogeneity between the studies was assessed using Forest plot, I² statistics and chi-square test with a statistical P value less than 0.05 to indicate statistical significance. Random effect models were used in case of moderate or high heterogeneity. Five studies were included in the review and pooled for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Five studies included in the meta-analysis with a total of 879 patients comparing the improvement in OHRQoL before and after rehabilitation with partial denture, the pooled results showed a better improvement of OHRQoL after treatment with partial dentures (Mean Difference (MD) 11.13; 95% CI [3.76, 18.50], P < 0.003) favoring the wearing of partial dentures. In order to ascertain the reliability of the included studies for meta-analysis: Risk of bias was assessed and found to be low in all included studies.

CONCLUSIONS

There is high evidence that treatment with partial dentures can improve the patient’s oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) measured with OHIP-14. This review has clinical evidence value for dentists treating the expanding vulnerable adult population.

Keywords: Partial dentures, Oral Health Impact Profile-14, Systematic review, Meta-analysis.