In Vivo Comparison of the Masticatory Efficiency of Artificial Teeth with Two Different Cusp Heights in Complete Dentures: A Preliminary Study.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of complete denture rehabilitation is to restore facial esthetics and masticatory function to edentulous patients. Several types of artificial teeth with different occlusal anatomy are available. Theoretically, teeth with a higher cusp height provide improved masticatory efficiency. The aim of this study was to compare the masticatory efficiency of complete denture wearers using artificial teeth with two cusp heights.


METHODS
Sixteen complete denture wearers were given complete dentures with Heraeus Premium teeth. Fifteen days after denture installation, a first masticatory efficiency test was performed with Optocal. A new pair of complete dentures with Dentsply Biotone teeth was then given to each participant to replace the first set. This second set was fabricated by duplicating the same models used to fabricate the first set of dentures. Fifteen days after installation of the dentures with Biotone teeth, a second masticatory efficiency test was performed with Optocal. On both tests, the comminuted material was treated and sieved through a stack of sieves under vibration. The content of each sieve was weighed, and the obtained data were tabulated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Wilcoxon tests.


RESULTS
Mean and standard deviation of participants' masticatory efficiency, as measured by X50particle size (mm), were 8.39 and 5.59 for dentures with Premium teeth, and 8.56 and 5.84 for dentures with Biotone teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the results, there were no differences (p < 0.05) in the masticatory efficiency of the complete denture sets using teeth with the two cusp heights.
Department of Prosthodontics School of Dentistry University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Wallace Ferreira
WF
Barbosa
Department of Prosthodontics School of Dentistry University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Carolina Mayumi
CM
Iegami
Department of Prosthodontics School of Dentistry University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Priscila Nakasone
PN
Uehara
Department of Prosthodontics School of Dentistry University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ricardo Jun
RJ
Furuyama
Department of Prosthodontics School of Dentistry University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Regina
R
Tamaki
D000368:Aged; D003779:Denture Design; D003824:Denture, Complete; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014093:Tooth, Artificial
Denture; artificial; complete; mastication; tooth