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A group of forty-five patients took part in a study to assess the effects of wearing partial dentures upon the accumulation of plaque in the mouth in the absence of oral hygiene. The wearing of a partial denture resulted in a significant increase in plaque accumulation and this increase was the result of a significant increase in both buccal and lingual plaque. Furthermore in a group of ten patients a small, but significant, increase in plaque occurred in the opposing arch during the wearing of the dentures. The accumulation of plaque on the buccal aspect of the teeth appeared unrelated to the type of denture worn. However, significantly more plaque accumulated on the lingual aspect of all the teeth in those patients wearing lower plate dentures as opposed to lower bar dentures. In the 3 day study periods only a small increase in plaque occurred on the palatal aspect of the upper anterior teeth not covered by any part of the partial denture and no significant increase occurred on the lingual aspect of the lower anterior teeth not covered by the partial denture. A highly significant increase occurred on the lingual aspect of lower anterior teeth covered by the lingual plate of the partial denture. Overall the wearing of a denture day and night resulted in more plaque accumulation compared with day only wearing of dentures. However considering the denture types this significant increase was not apparent in the lower plate dentures. The results provide further evidence of the potentially adverse effect partial dentures may have upon the supporting structures of the teeth when oral hygiene procedures carried out by the patient are inadequate.

A review and evaluation of the literature on mastication has been undertaken. Part I discusses the form of the masticatory cycle in the natural and artificial dentitions, including the controversial question of whether tooth contact occurs during function. Part II reviews the literature concerning the speed of movement of the mandible, rate of chewing, and the forces developed in chewing. Part III describes masticatory efficiency and performance, the effect of food on masticatory function, and incorporates a summary of all these three papers.

In view of the high prevalence of edentulousness in developed countries, the evidence is reviewed for the effects of tooth loss on nutrition and health in the following categories of effects: mortality; food choice and nutrient intake; gastrointestinal irritation; digestion and nutrient absorption; nutritional status. The evidence indicates reduced consumption of meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables, and total energy resulting in lower Hb and vitamin C levels, increased gastrointestinal irritation and increased mortality from choking but no striking differences in digestion or nutritional status. However, most studies are not carefully controlled for other social and health factors.

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