Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) after rehabilitation with removable partial dentures (RPDs): A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives: To summarise evidence on the change in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) before and after rehabilitation with removable partial dentures (RPDs) amongst partially edentulous adults.

Data: Studies assessing OHRQoL amongst patients aged ≥18 years, before and after rehabilitation with RPDs of any type and design, were included. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tools. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effect model.

Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL, up to March 29, 2022.

Study selection and results: Thirteen studies were eligible and eight were included in the meta-analysis. The studies had moderate to serious risk of bias. There was a very low level of certainty that OHRQoL, as measured using OHIP-14, improved 3 months after RPDs were fitted (222 participants, MD: -12.0, 95% CI: -16.1, -7.9, p<0.001) and after 6 months (101 participants, MD: -10.5, 95% CI: -16.4, -4.6, p<0.001). At 12 months post-treatment, RPD rehabilitation did not result in statistically significant improvement in OHIP-14 scores (62 participants, MD: -12.7, 95% CI: -26.1, 0.6, p = 0.06). However, the assessment using OHIP-49 at 12 months showed significant improvement (87 participants, MD: -34.8, 95% CI: -41.9, -27.7, p<0.001), with low certainty of evidence.

Conclusions: Based on the limited evidence available, this review found that RPD rehabilitation appear to improve OHRQoL in the short term up to 6 months, with a very low level of certainty. The long-term effect of RPD treatment on OHRQoL after 12 months is inconclusive. There is currently insufficient evidence on the effect of RPD treatment on OHRQoL. This review highlights the need for more and better quality studies.

Clinical significance: Data on RPD outcomes are summarised, aiding clinicians in providing evidence-based patient-centred care that matches patients' needs and expectations. Recommendations for future research were also highlighted.

Registration: PROSPERO CRD42022328606.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Oral health-related quality of life; Partial denture, Removable; Quality of life; Removable dental prosthesis; Systematic review.