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

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the improvement in oral stereognostic ability, masticatory efficiency, and difference in salivary flow rate in nonexperienced denture wearers, before, after, and 6 months after rehabilitation with complete dentures. Settings and Design: Invivo – Observational study. Materials and Methods: Seventy edentulous subjects were selected who came for rehabilitation with complete dentures for the first time. The study was conducted in three stages–before denture insertion, after denture insertion, and 6 months after denture insertion. Oral stereognostic ability was evaluated by asking the subjects to identify six heat cured acrylic resin samples by oral manipulation without seeing it. The unstimulated salivary flow rate was estimated by measuring the time taken to collect 5 ml of the whole saliva. Masticatory efficiency of the subjects was assessed with the help of preweighed chewing gums. The chewing gums were desiccated after the chewing strokes and weighed again. Statistical Analyses Used: Data were tabulated and analyzed statistically using pairedt-test, one-way ANOVA test, and the post hoc test. Results: Oral stereognostic ability increased immediately on insertion of complete dentures and was still higher 6 months post insertion of dentures. Comparison of the means of masticatory efficiency after denture insertion and 6 months after denture usage gave highly significant values (p< 0.001). The salivary flow which increased immediately following denture insertion returned to almost normal 6 months after denture insertion. Conclusion: The study support the hypothesis that the presence of dentures improve oral sterognostic ability and masticatory efficiency.