Swallowing thresholds of mandibular implant‐retained overdentures with variable portion sizes

Abstract

We analysed the effect of three portion sizes Optocal Plus (small, medium and large) on swallowing thresholds in subjects with either conventional complete dentures or mandibular implant-retained overdentures (transmandibular and permucosal cylindric implants). Tests were carried out in 52 women and 15 men (mean age 59 years) 4 years after treatment in a randomised controlled clinical trial. The results indicated that the degree of mucosal support for the mandibular denture did not affect the number of chewing strokes, time till swallowing or swallowed particle size. Only the chewing rate differed: subjects wearing mandibular implant-retained overdentures chewed the food at a higher rate than complete-denture wearers. With larger portion sizes, subjects needed significantly more chewing strokes and time until swallowing and they would have swallowed larger particles. Men chewed their food more efficiently than women, as they used the same number of chewing strokes and time, but achieved a greater particle size reduction at the swallowing moment.

Protocol for production of a chewable material for masticatory function tests (Optocal - Brazilian version)

“…[16][17][18]20,21 Thus, considering the tablet measurements in this protocol , 12 tablets of Optocal -Brazilian version are recommended for masticatory tests. The tablets should be chewed for a determined number of cycles or during a specified time, depending on the aim of the study, and then spat out.…”

“…13 It was later improved by using Optosil plus  (Bayer Dental, Leverkusen, Germany, version 1997) and by changing the component proportions (Optocal plus). 11,20 Association to other dental components makes the initial test material less resistant to fracture and easier to be comminuted by wearers of removable partial prostheses and conventional full dentures, as well as by those with implants and overdentures. 18,20 In terms of consistency, it is similar to natural foods.…”

“…The proposed Brazilian version of the chewable test material, using a condensation silicon as a base, consists of a mixture of dental materials supplied in the Brazilian marketplace, using the same proportions of the current version of Optocal Plus, 20 as demonstrated in Chart 1 and Figure 1.…”

“…11,20 The catalyst paste is mixed at the proportion of 20.8 mg/g of condensation silicon (dense portion). The ideal situation is that the amount of 10 g is not exceeded at the moment of preparation due to the difficulty in achieving a complete homogenization of the used products as well as to the quick setting time of Optosil  after mixture with the catalyst paste.…”

“…13,17 Nowadays, a new, improved version of this chewable material has been used. 11,20 Masticatory efficiency and performance tests are important for the evaluation of prosthetic rehabilitation success and patient satisfaction in respect to their masticatory functions. 12,16 Considering the increase in Brazilian objective studies on masticatory function, the aim of the present study was to present a standardized laboratory production protocol for producing a chewable test material, based on previous studies 11,14,20 , using components easily found in the Brazilian marketplace.…”