Oromiofunctional Events in Elderly Patients with and without Dental Implants

Introduction: The aging process can be defined as a process with the evolution over time, causing a reduction in functional efficiency, a weakness in the defense mechanisms, loss of functional reserves may occur. Gradually small changes in muscle occur as a result of the aging process. Along come the difficulties in chewing, sucking, swallowing, speech and other. Over time individuals will suffer with the loss of teeth caused by aging or by poor dental maintenance. Many are for the use of dental prosthesis, but some individuals end up suffering with poor adaptation of the prosthesis.

Objective: To identify oromiofunctional manifestations in elderly patients with dental prosthesis for over six months and older who do not use denture between 60 to 85 years. We evaluated 16 subjects, 11 subjects prosthesis users and 5 individuals without dental prosthesis, aged 60 to 85 years. Exclusion criteria were patients with neurological disorders, painful symptoms of TMJ or temporomandibular dysfunction. We conducted a session that lasted 45 minutes, to implement the protocol MBGR. Manifestations of the stomatognathic most common which affected individuals with prosthesis significantly were: decreased muscle tone and mobility of the tongue and lips, inefficient chewing with decreased speed. Yet individuals without dental presented the same events, but in lesser degrees.

Conclusion: Older adults showing signs oromiofunctional varying degrees distancing the normal standards and are aggravated by the use of dental prostheses.

Keywords: elderly, dental prosthesis, oral muscles, mastication.