PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF PROSTHODONTIC REHABILITATION IN GROWING CHILDREN: A 12-MONTH CLINICAL STUDY OF FUNCTIONAL, ESTHETIC AND ORAL HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES

Abstract

Background: Premature loss or congenital absence of teeth in growing children can adversely affect mastication, speech, esthetics, psychosocial development and oral-health-related quality of life. Prosthodontic rehabilitation in children presents unique challenges because treatment must restore oral function while accommodating continued craniofacial growth and eruption of the permanent dentition. Removable prostheses are frequently preferred during growth because they can be modified or replaced as the child develops. Aim: To prospectively evaluate the clinical effectiveness and patient-centered outcomes of prosthodontic rehabilitation in growing children over a 12-month period. Materials and Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted among 100 children aged 6–16 years requiring prosthodontic rehabilitation because of premature tooth loss, congenital absence of teeth, developmental dental anomalies, trauma or other clinically indicated causes. Following comprehensive clinical and radiographic assessment, an age- and dentition-appropriate prosthetic rehabilitation was provided. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups. The primary outcome was change in oral-health-related quality of life. Secondary outcomes included mastication, speech, esthetic satisfaction, prosthesis retention and stability, biological complications, prosthetic maintenance requirements and parental satisfaction.This original research is done in the department of prosthodontics, Late Shri yashwantrao Chavan memorial  medical and rural development Foundations dental college and hospital Ahilyanagar. Results: A total of 100 children were enrolled. The distribution according to age, sex, etiology of tooth loss, type of prosthesis and dentition status was recorded. Changes in oral-health-related quality of life, functional performance, esthetic satisfaction and prosthesis-related complications were evaluated longitudinally. Conclusion: Prosthodontic rehabilitation may provide important functional, esthetic and psychosocial benefits to growing children with tooth loss or developmental dental abnormalities. However, because of continuing craniofacial growth and changes in the developing dentition, regular clinical monitoring and prosthetic modification are essential. Prospective longitudinal evaluation can provide clinically relevant evidence regarding the effectiveness and maintenance requirements of pediatric prosthetic rehabilitation.