TOTAL EDENTULISM AND COGNITIVE DECLINE: ANALYSIS OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS AND BENEFITS OF IMPLANT-SUPPORTED REHABILITATION
M. Scarpati Cioffari di Castiglione1, S. Lauri2*, F. De Falco3, A. Pelliccia3, G. M. Granata3, J. Liguori3 and G. Oriolo4
1 Independent researcher, 81021, Caserta, Italy;
2 Independent researcher, 00073, Rome, Italy;
3 Department of System Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy;
4 Independent researcher, 00133, Rome, Italy.
*Correspondence to:
Simone Lauri,
Independent Researcher,
00073, Rome, Italy.
e-mail: laurisimone1@gmail.com
| Received: 04 January, 2026 Accepted: 02 February, 2026  |
ISSN 2975-044X (online) ISSN 2038-4106 (print) Copyright © by BIOLIFE 2026 This publication and/or article is for individual use only and may not be further reproduced without written permission from the copyright holder. Unauthorized reproduction may result in financial and other penalties. Disclosure: All authors report no conflicts of interest relevant to this article. |
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Total edentulism, characterized by the complete loss of teeth, significantly impacts the quality of life in older adults, leading to health inequalities. It is associated with oral health deterioration, masticatory dysfunction, and an emerging connection to cognitive decline through neurophysiological mechanisms. Materials and Methods: A review of the literature was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search terms were focused on “edentulism,” “cognitive decline,” and “implant-supported rehabilitation.” Study selection involved two independent reviewers, with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer and quality assessments conducted using established tools. Discussion: The prevalence of edentulism is increasing, and it carries multifaceted health implications, including a link to cognitive decline associated with the loss of occlusal support. Evidence suggests that improved oral health through implant-supported solutions enhances masticatory function, cerebral blood flow, and neurofunctional outcomes compared to complete dentures. Techniques such as fMRI and NIRS demonstrate how these rehabilitative approaches positively affect brain regions critical for cognitive functions. Conclusions: The findings support the idea that implant-supported rehabilitation not only restores oral function but may also mitigate cognitive decline in edentulous patients. Comprehensive treatment planning, considering anatomical, functional, and socioeconomic factors, is essential. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to better establish causal relationships and develop clinical guidelines aimed at optimizing outcomes for edentulous individuals.
KEYWORDS: Edentulism, cognitive decline, implant-supported rehabilitation, masticatory function, neurophysiological mechanisms