Influence of Dentures on Taste Perception in Complete Denture Wearers

Methods: Participants were 33 maxillary and mandibular complete denture wearers (mean age, 75.4±10.8 years; 14 men and 19 women) who were receiving treatments in Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital of Dentistry. Participants were asked to complete the questionnaire consisted of taste perception, denture satisfaction, subjective oral dryness and perceived chewing ability on a visual analogue scale. Responders underwent investigation of the amount of excreted saliva by the Saxon test. The questionnaire and measurement were completed before and after replacement of complete dentures. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test was used for the statistical analysis. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to participation. The study protocol was approved by the institutional ethics committee of Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Results: The lost sensation of taste among denture wearers significantly related to maxillary denture discomfort and satisfaction with maxillary complete denture in both previous dentures and new dentures. The sensation of the decrease in taste sensitivity among denture wearers significantly related to maxillary denture discomfort and perceived chewing ability in both previous dentures and new dentures. The perception of an inappropriate quality of taste significantly related to maxillary denture discomfort, satisfaction with maxillary complete denture and subjective oral dryness in both previous dentures and new dentures. The mean amount of stimulated saliva was 2.5±1.8 grams. Perception of taste did not relate to the amount of stimulated saliva.

Conclusions: The results suggested that quality of maxillary complete denture and subjective oral dryness may affect an alternation in taste perception.