Abstract
Purpose:
Various types of artificial teeth have been developed to improve chewing ability of complete denture wearers. Bladed artificial teeth are one of typical artificial teeth. However, there are a few reports about the effect of the bladed artificial teeth on chewing ability of complete denture wearers. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of chewing ability of complete denture with bladed artificial teeth.
Methods:
Nine edentulous patients wearing complete denture in a dental clinic were subjected. Four patients wore the dentures with bladed artificial teeth (bladed teeth denture), and other 5 patients wore the dentures using anatomical formed artificial teeth (normal teeth denture).
Measurement of maximum bite force at the first molar region and assessment of diet and satisfaction for the dentures through use of questionnaire were made and compared between two groups.
Result and Discussion:
Maximum bite force and chewing scores calculated from the questionnaire did not show significant difference between bladed teeth denture group and normal teeth denture group. When the subjects masticated the foods which need shearing force for chewing, chewing ability was significantly different between two groups. Bladed teeth denture is useful for improving the chewing ability for the foods needed shearing force. significant correlation between chewing ability and maximum bite force was not observed in the blade teeth denture group, although significant correlation was seen in the normal denture group. These results suggested the possibility that bladed teeth denture may improve chewing ability of patients with small maximum bite force.
