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Nevalainen MJ, Närhis TO et al. J Oral Rehabil 2004; 31: 647–652

In 1989, 651 randomly selected subjects, aged 76–86 years and living in Helsinki, were given comprehensive medical examinations. In the next year, 51 subjects died, and the remainder were invited to have oral examinations, which were completed for 364 subjects. In 1995–6, 196 were available for follow-up, and 134 participated.

During follow-up, five patients had become edentulous from previously having 1–5 teeth; 25% had new fixed or removable prostheses, and 11% lost prostheses which were not replaced. Logistic regression analysis gave significant odds ratios as predictors of tooth loss for male gender (2.28, 95% CIs 1.31–3.96) and presence of a removable partial denture (RPD: 1.92, 1.19–3.31). Any kind of RPD was also associated with the increment in root caries. Type of dentition (natural teeth, RPD or complete denture) gave significant relationships with a number of caries-associated parameters.

The authors note the difficulties of studying an aged population with short life expectancy, and suggest that shortened dental arches or fixed prostheses are better for these patients.