OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine if oral cavity pH in patients with acid-related disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) influence the state and survival of dental prostheses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 60 patients with fixed or removable dental prostheses diagnosed with acid-related disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (chronic gastritis (CG), peptic ulcer (PU), gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)). We collected data about salivary pH, GI complaints, oral cavity examination, dental prostheses state, and survival period. Four hundred fifteen dental prostheses were studied, including 370 fixed ones. Oral cavity acidity was determined using pH test strips «Special test paper». Descriptive statistics methods were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Most of the patients were over 60 years or in the age group from 51 to 60 years. Among the examined patients, only 12 (20%) patients had normal saliva acidity. In 29 (48.33%), the pH values moved to a more alkaline side, and in 19 (31.67%), the acidic pH prevailed. There were no significant differences between saliva pH values in patients with acid-related disorders using various orthopedic structures. In patients with GERD, the average saliva pH was 7.0±0.685; in patients with PU disease — 7.07±0.29; CG — 7.39±0.761.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of the examined patients with dental prostheses had salivary pH within the normal range. The lowest pH values were observed in patients with GERD. Dental prostheses survival in most patients (45; 75%) was more than five years; in patients with GERD, it was less than nine years, while in patients with PU and CH, the survival rate was significantly longer — nine years or even longer.