Abstract
Retention and stability are important considerations for successful complete denture treatment. A compact device to measure denture retention has been developed by Aoyagi et al. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the optimal sites and loading methods for the evaluation of retention with this device. This study included 30 subjects with edentulous maxillae. Dentures were coated using jigs made from a thermoplastic resin to protect and pull the denture. The pulling test was performed at the central point of the posterior border (P), intersection point of the line joining the right and left first molar central fovea (C), and left first molar central fovea (MF). The pushing test was performed at the central point of the central incisor edge (IE) and right first premolar buccal cusp (PC). Each site was measured five times, and the retention forces for detachment of the denture were determined. However, measurement was discontinued at 30 N because the subjects reported pain. A site was considered immeasurable if it could not be measured twice in succession. Two-way ANOVA, Tukeyʼs multiple comparison tests, and Pearsonʼs correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. The C and MF sites were immeasurable in approximately 50% of the subjects. The P, IE, and PC sites were measured in all subjects. P and IE showed no significant differences. However, PC was significantly higher than P and IE (p＜0.01). A positive correlation was observed between P and IE (r＝0.640, p＜0.01) and between P and PC (r＝0.452, p＜0.05). IE showed a strong positive correlation with P and reproducible measurements of denture retention. Therefore, the optimal loading method and site was the pushing test of IE without the jig.
