Evaluation of Masticatory Efficiency among subjects with Removable Partial Dentures: A Comparative Study

摘要

The aim of this study was to evaluate the masticatory efficiency of patients newly inserted with (1) RPDs in a single and/or both jaws against antagonist jaw and (2) Dentate Students (as Control Group).A total of 107 RPDs patients, mean age 56.7 and 101 natural dentate students, mean age of 23.7, were included in this study. They were given 5.0g of peanuts to chew for 30s. During mastication the total Number of Strokes was recorded: (1) before and after insertion of RPDs group (w/ subgroups) and (2) Dentate Students (Control Group). Furthermore, masticatory efficiency was measured by Spectrophotometer LS-722N, at 590μm absorption rate. The measurements were taken (1) before inserting RPDs and three intervals after inserting RPDs (2) immediately after insertion of RPDs, (3) at one and (4) three months post insertion. The statistical significance was set at P<0.05.A statistically significant difference was foundfor masticatory efficiency between patients before and after insertion of RPDs in all the comparisons (P<0.0001). Masticatory efficiency improved at three months post insertion of RPDs. Significant correlation was found between the number of strokes and masticatory efficiency three months post insertion of RPDs (r = 0.387, P<0.0001). Higher masticatory efficiency was found in patients with antagonist natural teeth.RPDs treatment does not reach the level of masticatory efficiency to completely restore function comparable to subjects with natural dentition. However, prosthetic rehabilitation with RPDs does significantly improve the ME, especially after three months of insertion.