Effect of dentures on oral transit duration

Abstract

We investigated the factors affecting functional patterns in the transitional stage from mastication to swallowing. Thirty-one subjects were divided into four groups based on occlusal support, age and whether they wore dentures. Subjects were instructed to masticate and swallow ten grams of steamed rice. Tongue and mandibular movements were recorded using ultrasound diagnostic equipment and a mandibular kinesiograph. Analysis revealed that the onset of oral transit followed the onset of bracing activity by the teeth and mandible in all subjects. We also found that although the posterior occlusal support of natural molars and the use of dentures were very important to the duration of oral transit, age was not so significant. Moreover, we found that although the duration of oral transit was shortened by placing dentures in patients who had lost all posterior occlusal support, the duration was still longer than in dentate persons.