Abstract
Objective: The criteria of the Inter-Coronal Freeway (I. C. F.), which may influence the stability and masticatory function of dentures, have not been clarified. The purpose of this experiment was to study the effect of the I. C. F. on force on dentures when crushing foods.
Methods: We used a simulator for this study, and carrot, pickled radish, boiled fish-paste, and peanuts were selected as the test foods. In each I. C. F., the maximum levels of vertical and horizontal forces (buccal, lingual, anterior, posterior) on dentures when crushing test foods on a simulator, were measured.
Results: Vertical force and horizontal force to the lingual and posterior side decreased with an increase of the I. C. F. in all test foods crushed. Horizontal force to the buccal and anterior side increased with an increase of the I. C. F. in carrot, pickled radish, and boiled fish-paste crushed.
Conclusions: The result of this paper shows that it is necessary to set the amount of the I. C. F. as 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm, in order to decrease the force to dentures when crushing foods. We suggest that an I. C. F. set at 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm is effective in both keeping good denture stability and preserving the alveolar ridge.
