@article{article_1609787, title={The Impact of Prosthetic Use on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Elderly Individuals}, journal={Akdeniz Diş Hekimliği Dergisi}, volume={4}, pages={1–10}, year={2025}, DOI={10.62268/add.1609787}, author={Alhelou, Hazem and Alawawda, Osayd and Kamel, Mohammad and Bayındır, Funda}, keywords={Ağız Sağlığı ile İlgili Yaşam Kalitesi (OHRQoL), Protez Rehabilitasyonu, Yaşlı Hastalar, OHIP-14-TR Anketi, Fiziksel Ağrı, Psikolojik Rahatsızlık, Diş Protezleri.}, abstract={Objective: The primary objective of this investigation was to assess the influence of oral health on the quality of life among elderly individuals utilizing prosthetic devices, employing the OHIP-14-TR questionnaire, with particular emphasis on the physical, psychological, and social dimensions within the context of Eastern Anatolia. Materials and Methods: This research was executed at the Prosthetic Department of Ataturk University Dental Faculty, encompassing a cohort of 100 geriatric patients aged 65 years and above. All subjects were recipients of prosthetic teeth, which included total, partial, fixed, or removable dentures. The OHIP-14-TR questionnaire was administered to evaluate oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The process of collecting data began in January 2024, and statistical scrutiny was undertaken using IBM SPSS Statistics v23.0, with the significance threshold determined at p < 0.05. Results: The most elevated mean scores were recorded in the domains of physical pain (OHIP Q4: 1.57 ± 1.41) and psychological discomfort. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant associations between physical pain and psychological discomfort (r = 0.645, p < 0.01), underscoring their contributory roles in shaping OHRQoL. Ill-fitting prostheses were correlated with heightened levels of both physical and psychological discomfort, adversely impacting the quality of life of the participants. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that physical pain and psychological discomfort emerged as the most significantly affected domains among elderly prosthetic users, exerting a profound influence on their OHRQoL. The necessity for adequate prosthetic rehabilitation is imperative to enhance oral functionality, mental health, and social welfare. The outcomes emphasize the essential role of tackling both the bodily and emotional elements in looking after elderly individuals with prosthetic needs.}, number={1}, publisher={Akdeniz Üniversitesi}