Investigation of Methods for Measuring Mandibular Complete Denture Retention - Abstract
Purpose: We aimed to clarify the effect of different measurement sites on the retention of maxillary complete dentures and to determine the optimal site and loading method for evaluating retention. The factors associated with mandibular complete denture retention are unclear; thus, a retention evaluation method has not been established. We investigated measurement methods and the optimal site by using a model to establish a retention measurement method for mandibular complete dentures.
Method: We manufactured complete resin dentures, based on normal methods used for edentulous mandibular models. We fabricated a covering splint to measure the denture surface. We set four points (A–D) for the measurement sites. We measured retention after filling the space between the denture mucosal surface and the model with four types of intervening saliva.
Results: All four types of intervening saliva could be measured only when measuring site A traction and the downward pressure on the fenestrations. Both conditions had a strong positive correlation (r = 0.94, P<.01). At site A, there was no significant difference in the measurement values with pressure exerted at45°and at 23°, which indicated a positive correlation (r = 0.73, P<.01).
Conclusion: Mandibular complete denture retention can be measured by applying oblique downward pressure on the occlusal plane at the mandibular central incisor midpoint.