Methods: Complete denture wearers who are to receive replacement dentures were recruited. Data was collected from 4 types of measurements: a) physical - using chewing efficiency , maximum bite force and superficial jaw muscle EMG activity; b) psychophysical - using occlusal thickness perception, oral stereognosis and oral motor ability; c) psychosocial - using questionnaires to evaluate OHRQoL, psychological profiles and denture satisfaction; d) functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging was performed to determine changes in brain activity during functional tasks (e.g. lip pursing; jaw tapping; jaw clenching). Data are collected at 4 times: T0 with the old denture, T2 at immediate issue of the new denture, T4 after 1-week of use, T6 after 3 months. At T2 denture stability and retention (S/T), and the atrophy of the lower jaw were assessed by two independent operators.
Results: Data from 9 subjects at T0, T2 and T4 showed a positive correlation, using Spearman's rho correlation, between the S/T score of the lower denture and the chewing efficiency score at T2 (r=723, p=.028) and approaching significance at T4 (r=639, p=.064). The 100% threshold at T4 showed a negative correlation with the S/T score for the upper denture (r=-739, p=.023) and a positive correlation with the atrophy of the lower jaw (r=714, p=.031). Analyses of neuroplasticity, T6 and psychosocial measurements are pending.
Conclusion: These results may assist in improving our understanding of denture function and as a result OHRQoL for denture wearers. This study is supported by The Swiss National Science Foundation (PBGEP3-125918).