The Effects of Denture Quality on Reduction of Masticatory Muscle Cross-Sections in Complete Denture Wearers

• Published in: Nihon Hotetsu Shika Gakkai Zasshi Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 312 - 320
• Main Authors: Tanabe, Tadaki, Mushimoto, Eiko, Tanaka, Hisatoshi, Inoue, Daiichi, Endo, Yoshiki, Hase, Takeshi, Yamada, Yoshio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese; English
• Published: Japan Prosthodontic Society 1999
• Subjects: complete denture wearer; denture quality; masticatory muscle activity; masticatory muscle cross-section
• ISSN: 0389-5386; 1883-177X
• DOI: 10.2186/jjps.43.312

The objective of this study was to determine whether denture quality might have an effect on masticatory muscle cross-section in the complete denture wearer. Seventy complete denture wearers were equally divided into a higher denture quality group (G 1) and a lower denture quality group (G 2) by using denture quality scale, described as 16 categories, which related to denture form, mandibular position, clinical findings, etc. The denture quality score for G 1 were significantly higher than G 2. MRI was used to analyze the masticatory muscle cross-section area. Masticatory muscle activity, during voluntary maximum clenching, was measured electromyography. Facial morphology was measured using cephalometric radiography. There was a significant reduction of the masticatory muscle cross-sections (masseter, temporalis posterior and medial pterygoid) as well as masticatory muscle activity (masseter, temporalis posterior) in G 2 (p > 0.05, ANOVA). G 1 showed a significant positive correlation between cross-section and masticatory muscle activity (r=0.393, p > 0.05), however, G 2 showed no correlation. In conclusion, denture quality was a significant factor in reduced masticatory muscle cross-sections and decreased muscle activity. In elderly edentulous patients, a complete denture with higher quality could help maintain masticatory muscle cross-section and activity.