Prosthesis preference in the adult USA population with partial edentulism

Abstract

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of prosthesis and investigate how demographic and socioeconomic characteristics influence preferences for restoration types in the adult population of the United States over 20 years of age. Methods The study utilized data from 7,805 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) conducted from 2017 to March 2020, prior to the pandemic. Among participants with partial edentulism, we examined demographic and socioeconomic variables, dentition status, and restoration types. Separate measurements were taken for the maxilla and mandible jaws. Restoration types included "restoration (R)" and "no restoration (N)." The restoration group encompassed two types: removable partial dentures (RPDs) and fixed partial dentures (FPDs). We compared the percentage of categorical variables between restoration types using chi-square tests. Multinomial logistic regression models were employed to explore the relationship between prosthetic preferences and demographic and socioeconomic factors, both unadjusted and adjusted for all characteristics, including the number of missing teeth. Results The proportion of participants wearing only RPDs or FPDs relative to those without any restorations was 0.33 in the maxilla and 0.23 in the mandible. In the maxilla, the number of participants wearing only RPDs relative to those wearing only FPDs was 1.00, while in the mandible, it was 1.38. The results indicated that individuals who were younger, male, of Mexican American or Non-Hispanic Black ethnicity, possessed lower educational attainment, were never married, had a low income-to-poverty ratio, held private insurance, or were unemployed were more inclined to choose no restoration. In contrast, older males, Non-Hispanic Black individuals, those with lower educational attainment, lower income-to-poverty ratios, and those who were unemployed or retired were more likely to choose RPDs over FPDs. Furthermore, never-married individuals and those with private insurance were more likely to choose FPDs in the maxilla (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusions Significant differences were observed among restoration types and demographic and socioeconomic variables, as well as dentition status in both the upper and lower jaws. Clinical significance By controlling for demographic characteristics, this study underscores the significance of socioeconomic variables in the restoration of partial edentulism.