Oral Stereognosis Related to the Use of Complete Dentures: A Literature Review

Abstract

Oral stereognosis is the neurosensorial ability of the oral mucous membrane to recognize and discrinunate the forms of objects in the oral cavity. The sensorial ability of the tongue, lips, thumbs and index fingers is greater than that of other parts of the body. Therefore, a dentist's understanding of oral stereognosis is important to understand the expectations of patients during complete denture treatment. A MEDLINE literature search within the periods of 1944 to 2003 and with the keywords "oral" "stereognosis" "complete" and "dentures" found twenty articles. Articles concerning sensory function, test type, oral-motor diseases, dentate status (including osseointegrated implants) and patient satisfaction with complete dentures were considered. After reviewing the literature, we have reached a number of conclusions: 1) A lack of standardization exists in stereognostic testing; 2) Stereognostic ability diminishes with age (number of correct responses and longer times for recognition); 3) Stereognosis can improve with training; 4) Degree of satisfaction is not related to a high or low oral perception level; 5) The use of complete dentures during the rehabilitation of patients with neuromotor disorders enhances oral sensation; 6) and implant-supported prosthesis provides stereognostic levels near that of natural dentition.

The Use of the Test for Oral Muscular Coordination Ability to Increase the Level of Adaptive Capacity of Oral Cavity Organs to Prosthodontic Treatment of Patients with Completely Absent Dentition

“…Rossetti and co-authors studied the entire literature on oral stereognosis and the treatment of completely absent dentition since 1944. One of the authors' conclusions stated that oral stereognosis could be improved by training [18]. Professor R. Marxkors believes that one of the methods of such training is the phased CRLD manufacturing, especially during their repeated restoration.…”

Evaluation of oral stereognosis, masticatory efficiency, and salivary flow rate in complete denture wearers

“…Edentulism and age diminish oral stereognostic ability of an individual. [ 9 ] Improvement in oral stereognosis is considered to be an indicator of success following complete denture therapy, and hence, oral stereognostic tests can be used to predict the patients' adaptation to complete dentures.…”

The Effect of Oral Submucous Fibrosis on Oral Stereognostic Ability. A Preliminary Study

“…1 Oral tactile information is conveyed through the trigeminal nerve to the brainstem. 2 The sensory functions of the trigeminal nerve can be affected by various systemic factors, for example Parkinsonism, cerebrovascular stroke, 3 or diabetic neuropathy, or by local factors, for example trauma, infection, or surgery.…”

“…Oral stereognosis is the neurosensorial ability of the oral mucous membrane to recognize and discriminate the forms of objects in the oral cavity by using the sensation of touch 1 . Oral tactile information is conveyed through the trigeminal nerve to the brainstem 2 .…”