Eficiência mastigatória de indivíduos portadores de próteses totais maxilo-mandibulares: comparação da anatomia de dentes artificiais

Abstract

The goal of a complete denture rehabilitation, is to achieve better life quality for edentulous individuals, reconstructing the facial aesthetics and the masticatory function. Various artificial teeth with different occlusal anatomy are available in the market. Theoretically, teeth with bigger cuspal heights provide a better masticatory efficiency. The aim of this study was to compare the masticatory efficiency of complete denture wearers with artificial teeth of two cuspal heights. Twenty selected complete denture wearers was given complete dentures with higher cuspal height teeth. Fifteen days after post-insertion consults, the first masticatory efficiency test was taken with Optocal. After the test, a pair of complete dentures with lower cuspal height teeth was given to the subjects, replacing higher cuspal height teeth prosthesis. The complete dentures with lower cuspal height teeth were fabricated by means of duplicating the same rockstone models used for the higher cuspal height teeth complete dentures using agar. Fifteen days after post-insertion consults of the subjects wearing the lower cuspal height teeth, a second masticatory efficiency test was taken with optocal. On booth cases, comminuted material was treated and sieved on a stack of sieves under vibration. The content of each sieve was weighed and the data obtained was tabulated. Mean and standard deviation of subjects' masticatory efficiency of complete dentures with higher cuspal height teeth were 4,1 and 0,76 respectively. While tests of complete dentures with lower cuspal height teeth was 3,83 and 0,95 respectively. According to the statistical analysis applied to this study (p<0,05), there were no differences on masticatory efficiency in complete dentures with two different cuspal height teeth.