Changes in Postural Control of Complete Denture Wearers after Receiving New Dentures

—Gait and Body Sway—

Abstract

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in postural control after the use of new complete dentures by evaluating gait and body sway.
Materials and Methods : Nine edentulous subjects who needed to have their complete dentures replaced participated in this study. Gait cycle and velocity while walking for 10 m and the locus of the center of gravity in a standing position for 60 seconds were recorded. To examine the influence of the use of new dentures, records were made when the subjects used their original dentures, immediately after the new dentures were inserted, and also after adjustments to the new dentures were completed. The following three experimental conditions were used to examine the influence of denture wear : dentures worn in an occluded position, in a non-occluded position, and dentures not worn. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was performed and then subjected to a post hoc analysis.
Results : All the variables were significantly influenced only by the use of new dentures (p<0.05). After the completion of the new denture adjustments, gait cycle decreased and gait velocity increased compared with those observed when using the original dentures (p<0.05). The locus of the center of gravity observed immediately after the insertion of the new dentures was significantly longer than that observed after the completion of the new denture adjustments (p<0.05).
Conclusion : The use of new dentures changed gait and body sway, and contributed positively to postural control.