Influence of occlusion guidance on masticatory performance and ability in wearers of complete dentures

Author(s)

Priscila Mattos Scavassin

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Araraquara. 2017-08-30.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Odontologia. Araraquara
• Defense date: 2017-06-26
• Advisor: Ana Carolina Pero Vizoto

Abstract

The rehabilitation treatment with conventional complete dentures aims restoring chewing, phonetics and swallowing, as well providing esthetics and comfort. The success of this treatment should combine patient satisfaction with clinical and laboratorial stages wellexecuted, especially those involving molding procedures, record of intermaxillary relationships and choice of occlusal scheme. Currently, the most widespread occlusal scheme in complete dentures is bilateral balanced occlusion (BBO). However, the literature indicates that canines guidance (CG) it is a viable alternative in the production of conventional complete dentures. Randomized controlled trials to verify the effect of the disocclusion guidance on variables related to chew are still necessary. The objective of this cross-over study was to analyze the influence of disocclusion guidance on masticatory performance and ability in wearers of complete dentures. Total edentulous individuals, female, who received treatment with conventional complete dentures, were invited to participate in this study according to the clinical and laboratory principles recommended by Araraquara Dental School (UNESP) (n = 50). After the period of adaptation with the new dentures (pre-test phase), the participants were divided into two sequences of study, where, in alternating and sequential periods of 30 days each, they were assigned to the two types of protocols proposed: Sequence 1: bilateral balanced occlusion - BBO, followed by canines guidance - CG; Sequence 2: canines guidance - CG, followed by bilateral balanced occlusion - BBO. The evaluations of masticatory performance and masticatory ability were carried out, respectively, using the sieves method and the application of a specific questionnaire based on a visual analogue scale (VAS), at different times: 30 days after the pre-test phase (Assesment 1), and 60 days after the pre-test phase (Assesment 2). For the analysis of masticatory performance (MP, %), almonds were used as test food and submitted to sieving. The answersto the masticatory ability questionnaire were measured from the EVA obtained, and a mean was calculated for each group, expressed in millimeters. Fifteen participants completed the study. The disocclusion guidance was not significant for the masticatory performance (Student t test, p = 0.05, OBB = 46.23 ± 10.40, DC = 46.48 ± 14.12). The analysis of the scores obtained in the EVA showed that the participants with DC expressed a greater facility to chewing fresh bread, steak and raw carrot, in addition to a higher overall quality of chewing (Wilcoxon test, p <0.05, DC = 91.93; OBB = 72.67). It was concluded that complete dentures wearers present similar masticatory performance, independently of the disocclusion guidance, and the canines guidance results in a better self-perception of the facility and quality of chewing for some foods, as well as better general quality of chewing. (AU)