Effects on retention of reducing the palatal coverage of complete maxillary dentures

Abstract

Twenty patients with complete dentures in both jaws gave up their maxillary ones for experimental purposes for 4 weeks while new dentures were made. The experimental dentures were reduced palatally to a new U-shaped border situated approximately 10 mm from the dental arch. Denture retention, defined as the ability of a denture to remain seated on the supporting tissues under various conditions, was measured as resistance towards cranially directed tilting loads, using a miniature bite force recorder. Dislodgement-provoking loads were applied to the first bicuspid on both sides and to the central incisors. The retention measurements were performed before and immediately after reduction of the palatal coverage and, finally, after 4 weeks. Interview questions were posed concerning the subjects' experience of denture retention and some other aspects of oral comfort. The interviews were carried out before reduction of the palatal coverage and after 2 and 4 weeks. The results of the experimental dislodgement tests suggested that the ability to withstand tilting loads was insignificantly altered by reduction of the palatal coverage. This finding was in agreement with responses indicating that retention during meals remained unchanged. However, several individuals reported that denture retention between meals was impaired. Three denture wearers reported that reduction of the palatal coverage influenced their sense of taste positively, and one reported that an occasional gagging tendency had disappeared. At the end of the experiment the participants were given the choice of a new conventional denture or a new denture without palatal coverage. Six persons preferred new dentures conventionally designed and also the palatal coverage restored on the old ones; eight persons chose new dentures with palatal coverage but accepted the experimental ones as substitutes; and six persons preferred both dentures without palatal coverage.