AN APPROACH TO ENHANCING ORAL HEALTH AND DENTAL ARCH RESTORATION IN PATIENTS WITH ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)

Abstract

Relevance. The clinical presentation, progression, and challenges of treatment and prevention of dental diseases in HIV-infected patients are directly related to the outcomes of managing the primary pathology. There is available data regarding the quality, biological compatibility, and physical-mechanical properties of materials used for the fabrication of removable dental prostheses (RDPs). Several studies have pointed out the lack of scientific research focused on organizing prosthodontic care for HIV-infected individuals.

Aim of the study. To justify the role and effectiveness of restoring dental arch function in HIV-infected patients using removable dental prostheses (RDPs) through a comprehensive approach in the treatment of oral tissues and structures.

Materials and methods. Clinical-dental, laboratory, histomorphological, biochemical, and functional studies were conducted at the “Republican AIDS Center” of Uzbekistan during the period of 2022–2024. The study involved 384 HIV-infected individuals aged 18 to 56 under dispensary observation and 258 healthy individuals. The results were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results. In HIV-infected patients, periodontal tissue pathologies were characterized by severe clinical progression, atypical morphological changes, and persistently negative responses to treatment. As a result of the proposed therapeutic and preventive measures, the use of RDPs with bonded surfaces made of "Vertex ThermoSens" and "Ftorax" led to the disappearance of painful and traumatic lesions of the oral mucosa (OM), facilitated adaptation to the prostheses, and improved patients’ psychological condition and quality of life indicators.

Conclusions. HIV-infected patients exhibit unusual pathological clinical features in the tissues and structures of the oral cavity: high intensity and prevalence of caries; widespread generalized periodontitis; oral mucosa conditions such as candidiasis, oropharyngeal candidiasis, angular cheilitis, herpetic stomatitis, chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and chronic atypical sialoadenitis. High effectiveness in providing prosthodontic care has been scientifically and practically proven by taking into account the specifics of RDP fabrication and the unique properties of the raw materials used.