The Effects of Wearing a Removable-Partial-Denture on the Bite Forces: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Removable partial dentures are a frequently used prosthetic treatment in the elderly population, but different types or RPDs might guarantee different chewing capabilities. In many studies, the relationship between chewing and aging has been reported and it has been shown that efficient chewing can improve the overall quality of life. Objectives: In the present study, the relationship between maximum bite force (MBF) and RPDs was studied. A relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and the type of prosthesis was also analyzed. Methods: 240 elderly patients, 120 males and 120 females, with bilateral posterior edentulism (class 1 of Kennedy classification) who had been wearing an RPD for at least a year, were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1: male (n = 60) and female (n = 60) patients with bilateral edentulous areas located posterior to the remaining natural teeth and natural teeth in the opposite dental arch. Group 2: male (n = 60) and female (n = 60) patients with maxillary and mandibular bilateral edentulous areas located posterior to the remaining natural teeth. Their Body Mass Index (BMI) and Maximum bite force (MBF) were measured and compared according to the material and design of their RPD. Results: In both Groups, patients wearing cobalt-chrome alloy RPDs (Co-Cr-RPD) (Group 1: 20.25 ± 6.7 MBF, p < 0.001; Group 2: 16.0 ± 5.7 MBF, p < 0.001) had an increased MBF when compared to polymethylmethacrylate RPD (PMMA-RPD) (Group 1: 12.9 ± 3.36 MBF; Group 2: 10.4 + 2.8 MBF), and Valplast RPD (V-RPD) (Group 1: 14.3 ± 4.7 MBF; Group 2: 11.3 ± 3.4 MBF) users. There were no significant differences in bite force between patients wearing PMMA-RPD and V- RPD in both Groups. Patients in Group 2 showed a lower MBF than those in Group 1 (Group 1: 16.05 ± 6.13 MBF; Group 2: 12.6 ± 4.84 MBF; p < 0.001). Conclusions: A reduction in chewing force can lead to choosing softer foods for nutrition, which can lead to an increase in BMI. Our results show that only CoCr-RPD wearers were able to chew consistent food, whereas PMMA- RPD and V-RPD, due to the properties of the materials, their instability, and the possibility of causing pain during mastication, determined a limitation in the choice of food for many of the participants.

Unveiling the Influence of the Curve of Spee on Bite Force and Chewing Ability: A Comparative Study

“…The aforementioned discrepancies in this study may be accounted for by the inclusion of individuals with occlusal proximal caries involving enamel and/or dentin, whereas in the research under discussion, participants with caries that went beyond pit and fissure were not included. Another issue to be considered is the type of prosthetic restorations as reported by the study that the type of removable denture influences bite forces and chewing efficiency, with only CoCr-RPDs objectively restoring satisfying chewing function [ 39 ].…”

Evaluation of the relationship between GOHAI, MNA and the dental hygiene of using denture wearers for older patients

“…Sano and Shiga 33 reported that occlusal strength is affected by age and decreases significantly while chewing performance is not affected by age and is preserved in older adults. Vozza et al 34 reported that decreased chewing strength might lead to softer foods for feeding, leading to malnutrition, inadequate protein intake or increased body mass index. Kshetrimayum et al, in their study in India, Anweigi et al, in their research in Saudi Arabia, declared that there is a critical link between oral health, nutrition and quality of life in the elderly 35,36 …”

Barbed Dental Ti6Al4V Alloy Screw: Design and Bench Testing

“…The first issue is the force any dental implant must stand daily. Scientific reviews have analyzed the maximum chewing forces and compared these with the static tests, reporting a vast variation depending on the age, sex, measurement system, and measurement method used [ 44 , 45 , 46 ]. In addition, as people age, osteoporosis is commonplace, markedly influencing primary and secondary implant stability with a concomitant loss of resistance to chewing force [ 47 , 48 ].…”