Efectividad del uso de la prótesis dental en adultos mayores. Revisión de literatura.

Abstract

Introduction: Demographic changes require dentists to accommodate an increase in elderly patients and broaden concepts for dental care, both for those who are more frail than for those who are independent. Objective: Establish the effectiveness of the use of dental prostheses in older adults. Materials and methods: This article has a qualitative and analytical approach, a cross-sectional descriptive design - not experimental. The data in this report come from electronic searches. Analysis and discussion of results: Regarding the orofacial aesthetic aspect, 3 important points were evaluated: the facial thirds, the midline and the smile. The function of the stomatognathic system is important, to eat, speak, chew and swallow, the lack of this function could lead the patient to different problems. The use of prostheses, whether partial or total, favors the communication of patients with relatives and in society, thus contributing to improve their interpersonal relationships and, in turn, their lives. Regarding the economic factor, this is fundamental to be able to offer a better service to the patient. The physiological changes are varied, all this will depend on the treatment used by the dentist, the diet and hygiene of the patient and in turn the sex. Conclusion: Finally, it is essential that the dentist does a good job in terms of prosthetic treatment, not only for aesthetics and function but also to avoid diseases such as candidiasis and other diseases that could lead to systemic pathologies.