Treatment effect with removable complete denture in an elderly with presbyphagia: A case report

Abstract

Background: Swallowing is the passage of food or other substances from the mouth into the stomach. As we age, in some people, the movement of the food bolus from the mouth to the esophagus slows down, manifesting itself in efforts and wide movements of the anatomical elements at the oropharyngeal level, a condition known as presbyphagia, which does not interfere with the efficiency of swallowing, if the condition progresses, it can lead to aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition and a reduction in the quality of life in the elderly (PM)3. Its treatment involves swallowing exercises and dietary changes supervised by speech therapists and other professionals. However, there is evidence on the impact of dental treatment using removable complete dentures (RCD) where they can recover the mouth's functions, which are part of the swallowing process. The objective is to expose the importance of treatment with a removable complete denture in PM with presbyphagia. 

Clinical Presentation: 84-year-old patient with reduced mobility attends to renew his RCD. On examination, he presents great reabsorption of the mandibular ridge, and when swallowing, he shows efforts manifested in compensatory movements at the oropharyngeal level. A new RCD treatment is indicated that recovers aesthetic and functional parameters, which begin in the buckling test with the re-establishment of the occlusal plane, vertical dimension, aesthetic parameters, selection, and dental articulation. Once the treatment was finished, it was noticed an improvement in the patient's condition, observing a decrease in the ranges of oropharyngeal movements and ease of swallowing in the water intake test.

Clinical Relevance: Current evidence suggests a favorable relationship concerning presbyphagia and the use of RCD in mandibular stabilization and optimization of movements at the oral and cervical level1,2,4, in dentistry, the need to monitor the improvement of this condition since the wax occlusal rim record is essential. 

Conclusion: The use of RCD proves to be an effective treatment in healthy patients with presbiphagia by improving the patient's swallowing and quality of life after recovering aesthetic and functional parameters.