At What Age Do People in Iran Use Complete Denture for the First Time? A Cross-Sectional Study Within a 10-Year Period

Becoming completely edentulous is a major concern of dentists and other health care providers. It mostly targets aged population and has numerous comorbidities. An oldfashion but currently used treatment plan for edentulism is the complete denture method. In this study, we aimed to investigate the time when older people in Iran are in need of complete dentures and the reasons for tooth loss in this country. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 200 patients were collected from Shahid Heidari dental clinic for the study. Patients were completely edentulous and treated with complete dentures for the first time. Their systemic disease, periodontitis and smoking status were analyzed at a significance level of P<0.05. Results: The Mean±SD age for becoming edentulous was 52.1±1.07 years. Most populated age group was 45-50 and 55-60 years. Systemic disease and periodontitis was reported more in younger patients, while most of those who smoke aged more than 52 years. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the mean age of becoming edentulous in Iran is significantly lower than in other countries and more studies are required to assess the current status of edentulism in Iran. There is also a need for implementing an enhanced dental care plan for Iranian elderly population.