Synopsis:

In recent years, the nutritional implications of prosthodontic treatment have gained significant attention. Traditionally, the primary goal of prosthodontic treatment has been the restoration of masticatory function. However, given that prosthodontic treatment is increasingly recognized as rehabilitative medicine related to eating, the desired outcomes should extend beyond the recovery of masticatory function to include enhanced food and nutrient intake facilitated by this recovery, as well as the improvement and maintenance of nutritional status. As prosthodontists, we appear to be entering a new era in which we should evaluate treatment outcomes not only by improvements in masticatory function before and after treatment but also by the positive impact on overall health.  The importance of nutritional assessment in implant treatment is also being recognized. For instance, a deficiency in vitamin K2 can reduce active osteocalcin levels, affecting bone metabolism. Furthermore, the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in the body due to excessive sugar intake impacts collagen cross-linking, which leads to a decline in bone quality, making it fragile and more brittle. This has been demonstrated in our clinical studies through bone biopsy samples from our patients. Although these factors likely influence implant treatment outcomes, research exploring the risks of implant treatment from a nutritional perspective remains limited.  It is therefore essential for us to remain mindful of the close relationship between prosthodontic clinical practice and nutritional science, recognizing that the time has come to embrace new challenges in this area.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how prosthodontic treatment impacts not only masticatory function but also nutritional intake and overall nutritional status, fostering a holistic approach to patient health.
• Recognize the role of essential nutrients on bone quality and metabolism, understanding their implications for implant success.
• Gain insights into integrating nutritional assessments into clinical practice, enabling them to evaluate and optimize treatment outcomes beyond conventional masticatory function recovery.