Quality of life post oral rehabilitation with complete short arch among South Indian patients.

Oral rehabilitation is essential in patients having multiple missing teeth, to restore esthetics and function. However replacement of complete dentition may not be possible in high risk patients or patients of low income group. The concept of SDA can be utilized in such patients to increase affordability and avoid over restoring. The aim of this study was to understand the prevalence of the requirement of oral rehabilitation according to age and gender of the individual as well as to compare the quality of life of patients rehabilitated with complete and short dental arches. Case sheets of around 28,000 patients were reviewed from March 2019 to June 2020 out of which 113 patients were undergoing oral rehabilitation. To eliminate bias all patients affected by the disease were included in the study. Epidemiological data of the patient along with their ongoing treatment was collected and tabulated in MS Excel sheet. Amongst the patients 36 patients were selected using simple stratified sampling and patients were asked to report their quality of life on a VAS scale using a quality of life questionnaire. The data was then analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 23. The prevalence of oral rehabilitation in males was 53.98% while in females it was 48.02%. Age group of 41-60 years was found to be most commonly undergoing oral rehabilitation. The most common extent of rehabilitation was 2nd molar - 2nd molar, around 23% patients underwent rehabilitation from 1st molar-1st molar and around 10% patients underwent rehabilitation from 2nd premolar-2nd premolar. Patient satisfaction was greatest in patients with complete arch restoration when compared to short dental arch restoration. Amongst SDA restoration patients rehabilitated till the first molar had greater satisfaction than patients rehabilitated till second premolar. With increase in lifespan the need for oral rehabilitation has increased, however it is not always possible or advised to restore the complete dentition of an individual. The present study helps us understand the prevalence of oral rehabilitation according to the gender and age of the patients as well as use of newer concepts such as SDA in the management of high risk patients. Within the limitations of the present study patient satisfaction was greater in complete arch restoration compared to SDA. Thus it is important to understand the requirements of the patient and rehabilitate accordingly, so as to provide the patient with the best esthetics and function possible.