Masticatory Efficiency of Complete Dentures Constructed by different Denture Base Materials

Introduction one of the primary function of the complete denture is to restore masticatory function in the people who have lost their natural teeth, studies have reported that the values for maximum biting force in patient wearing complete dentures were only one-fifth to one- sixth the values reached by dentate subjects however, problems such as discomfort and difficulty in chewing certain foods are generally reported by its wearers as a result of a reduced masticatory efficiency, which ranges from 16 % to 50 %, when compared to dentate subjects the question arises-do the primary stress-bearing areas actually dissipate the functional forces, or are these forces conveyed elsewhere by the intervening non rigid acrylic base material. The electromyography has been observed in various investigations that there is a linear relationship between direct force measurement and electromyography activity potential. The aim of the study The study aims to clinically evaluate the masticatory efficiency of the flexible complete denture and the conventional complete denture. Martials and methods for the purpose of the study 7 male completely edentulous patients between the ages 45-55 years selected. For each patient two set of complete dentures was fabricated, the First one is flexible denture and the second one is conventional acrylic denture. Surface electrodes from electromyography unit were placed in the region of right and left anterior temporalis and masseter muscles and electromyography activity was recorded. Quantitative parameters were assessed. Quantitative parameter is bite force by electromyography evaluation which was measured after insertion. Result and discussion, Qualitative data were described using number and percent. Quantitative data were described using range (minimum and maximum), mean, standard deviation and median. Significance of the obtained results was judged at the 5 % level. Conclusion, The EMG activity of the masseter muscle higher in flexible denture base than conventional acrylic denture base during clenching on preformed silicon index, and when chewing soft and hard food after two months. The anterior temporalis muscle showed higher activity in flexible denture base than conventional acrylic denture base during clenching on preformed silicon index, when chewing soft food and hard food.