Year : 2018

Volume : Volume 9

Issue : Issue 3s

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Priyanka Priyadarshni.
PriyankaPriyadarshni@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Edentulism is a debilitating condition with a multifactorial etiology, serving as a terminal marker for oral disease. The aim of the study to evaluate the relation between sociodemographic variables and partial edentulism in a known population. Material and methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 276 patients.  A proforma including a structured questionnaire was prepared, followed by an oral examination of the patients. Clinical examinations were conducted in accordance with the procedures and diagnostic criteria recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1997. A statistical software (SPSS version 22, SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data analysis. Chi-square tests were performed and P values were calculated for each characteristic. P value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: In the present study total participants were 276 in which 48.91% were male and 51.08% were females who were partially edentulous. A peak in the prevalence rates of partial edentulism was demonstrated between the age group of 31-40 years, with females exhibiting the maximum prevalence rates of 28.88%. 52.17% were unemployed and 47.82% participants were employed. 57.97% resided in urban areas. Based on the monthly family income53.98% belonged to the medium income group, 25% belonged to the high income group and 21.01% belonged to the low income group. Distribution based on educational status indicated that 51.44% belonged to the basic group, 31.52% belonged to the secondary group, and 17.02% belonged to the illiterate group.  It was also observed that decay (56.52%) was the most common cause of tooth loss in the study population and function (51.81%) was the most common reason for replacement of missing teeth. It was observed that 53.62% partially edentulous patients preferred fixed treatment, 35.50% preferred removable treatment and 13.76% deemed both options as acceptable. Conclusion: Our study concluded that females were more partially edentulous. Patients of the age group of 3140 years were more partially edentulous. Decay was the most common cause of tooth loss in the study population and function was the most common reason for replacement of missing teeth. Maximum patients of partially edentulism preferred fixed treatment.

Keywords: Partial edentulism, fixed treatment, removable treatment.