Influence of removable complete denture adjustment on brain activity

Abstract

Purpose: This study used electroencephalogram to examine how eliminating pain through complete denture treatment can affect cerebral function.Materials and Methods: Twenty-four individuals with full maxillary and mandibular dentures (11 males and 13 females; average age, 76) were enrolled. All were diagnosed by two prosthodontists as needing denture treatment. Twelve subjects who had complained of pain from dentures (study group) were compared to 12 without prior pain (control). Occlusal force and electroencephalogram were measured before and after treatment. Changes in brain functional activity were estimated by electroencephalogram, from which Dα was calculated using Diagnosis Method of Neuronal Dysfunction analysis. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test (α = 0.05) was used to compare Dα and occlusal force before and after treatment.Results: A significant increase in occlusal force was noted after treatment in all subjects in the study group (p < 0.01) and 11 in the control group (p < 0.01). Dα increased significantly for all study group subjects after treatment (p < 0.01).Conclusion: It was found that eliminating pain through denture treatment improves brain functional activity. Eliminating pain through denture treatment not only restored mastication but also relieved stress.