title: Maximum bite force in elderly indigenous and non-indigenous denture wearers.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the measures of maximum bite force (MBF) in elderly edentulous indigenous (Mapuche) and non-indigenous individuals with new complete dentures at two different measuring times. A sample of 100 elderly subjects was divided into two groups: 50 indigenous and 50 non-indigenous, each including 25 females and 25 males. All individuals were totally edentulous, with new maxillary and mandibular removable complete dentures. Measurements were taken at the time of new prosthesis placement and after 1 month of use. Subjects were asked to perform with maximum effort three bites per side at maximum intercuspidation, with a rest time of 2 minutes in between. Statistics were analyzed with Student 's t-test. The MBF values were significantly higher in indigenous than non-indigenous subjects. Force after 1 month of wearing the new prosthesis was significantly higher than at the time of new prosthesis placement. No significant difference was found between sides. Elderly indigenous complete denture wearers had the greatest MBF values. Denture wearers were observed to undergo an adaptation process to the new prosthesis, with MBF increasing considerably after one month of use.
authors.affiliation: Physiology and Oral Microsurgery Research Center (CIMOFIR), Dental School, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Borie
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Ribeirão Preto Dental School, Brazil.
authors.forename: Iara A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Orsi
authors.affiliation: Physiology and Oral Microsurgery Research Center (CIMOFIR), Dental School, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.affiliation: Physiology and Oral Microsurgery Research Center (CIMOFIR), Dental School, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Beltrán
authors.affiliation: Mathematics and Statistics Department, University de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.affiliation: EDF Centro de Salud Familiar, Chile.
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pareja
authors.forename: Lariça B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Raimundo
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001732:Bite Force; D002677:Chile; D003824:Denture, Complete; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D014160:Transducers, Pressure