Influence of lower complete denture use on masseter muscles and masticatory function: A longitudinal study

• Published in: Journal of oral rehabilitation Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 127 - 133
• Main Authors: Carletti, Talita Malini, Pinheiro, Mayara Abreu, Gonçalves, Thais Marques Simek Vega, Rodrigues Garcia, Renata Cunha Matheus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.02.2019
• Subjects: Aged; Analysis of Variance; Bite Force; Clinical trials; Contraction; Denture, Complete, Lower; Dentures; Female; Geriatrics; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Masseter Muscle - physiology; masseter thickness; Mastication; Mastication - physiology; masticatory performance; Mouth, Edentulous - rehabilitation; Muscles; oral sensory function; oral stereognosis; Pressure; Prospective Studies; tongue force; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasound; masticatory performance; masseter thickness; tongue force; oral stereognosis; oral sensory function
• ISSN: 0305-182X; 1365-2842; 1365-2842
• DOI: 10.1111/joor.12729

Summary Background Edentulism can reduce mastication, leading to changes in food pattern, with possible consequences to masticatory muscle thickness. Objectives This study verified masticatory function and oral perception in subjects who did not use lower CDs, and whether the insertion of new upper and lower CDs would improve such variables. Methods Fifteen edentulous elderly who wore only the upper CD were selected and received new upper and lower CD. Volunteers were evaluated at baseline and after 1, 3 and 6 months of new prosthesis use. Masticatory performance (MP) was assessed by the sieving method (X50 values). Masseter thickness (MT) was evaluated by ultrasonography. Oral sensorial ability (OSA) was assessed by oral stereognosis test and maximum tongue pressure (MTP) was verified by pressure sensors. Data were submitted to repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey‐Kramer posthoc tests (α = 0.05). Correlation between OSA and MTP was verified by Person's correlation. Results X50 and MTP decreased (P < 0.05) after 1 month and remained stable (P > 0.05) for next assessments. After 3 months, MT in rest position was increased (P < 0.05), while during maximum voluntary contraction 1 month was enough to increase MT (P < 0.05). There were no differences for OSA (P > 0.05) and no correlation between OSA and MTP. Conclusion Masticatory performance and masseter thickness of elderly who did not use the lower dentures were improved after 2 months using new upper and lower CDs. However, new CDs in both dental arch decreased MTP. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC #RBR‐37gdst).