Oral Microbiota Changes in Patients with Complete Dentures: a Systematic Review

Abstract

The oral microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health and preventing oral diseases. Wearing complete dentures, a common prosthetic intervention for patients with missing teeth, can significantly impact the oral microbiota, leading to changes in microbial composition and diversity. This systematic review aims to comprehensively analyze the existing literature on oral microbiota changes in patients with complete dentures. A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted, resulting in 12 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The studies utilized various methodologies to assess oral microbiota changes, with the majority reporting a shift in microbial composition and diversity in denture wearers compared to dentate individuals. This included a decrease in microbial diversity, increased fungal colonization (particularly Candida species), and alterations in the relative abundance of specific bacterial species. These findings suggest that wearing complete dentures is associated with significant changes in the oral microbiota, which may have implications for oral health. However, the heterogeneity in study methodologies and limited sample sizes highlight the need for further research in this area to better understand the precise impact of complete dentures on the oral microbiota and develop targeted preventive strategies.