13 June 2022

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Proper diet and masticatory function in patients with new complete denture

Lara Figini

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Tooth loss typically increases with ageing. To recover the mastica-tory function caused by tooth loss, various prosthetic treatments such as fixed, removable dentures and implants are provided for edentate patients. Patients with new complete denture very often are struggling to get used to them and in the first few months they experience discomfort during meals due to reduced masticatory function. A prosthetic treatment combined with a dietary intervention could be effective to improve food and nutrient intake especially in the first months of acquisition of the new complete denture.

Materials and Methods
In a study published on Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, December 2019, the authors wanted to clarify the influence of simple dietary advice on the masticatory function of subjects with new complete dentures. The authors conducted a randomised controlled trial performed on 59 edentulous elderly individuals who had received new complete dentures. Participants were randomly divided into an intervention group (received simple dietary advice: 15 men and 15 women, mean age: 74.8 ± 8.0 years) or a control group (received denture care advice: 15 men and 14 women, mean age: 78.6 ± 6.8 years). Masticatory function was assessed using colour-changeable chewing gum for mixing ability and test gummy jelly for shearing ability. Mixing and shearing ability were assessed at pre-treatment, and 3 and 6 months post-treatment. At each assessment time, mixing ability was compared using Student's t test and shearing ability using Mann-Whitney's U test. Within-group differences in mixing ability were analysed using repeated-measures one-way analysis of variance and those in shearing ability were analysed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni correction.

Results
At each assessment time, there was no significant difference in mixing or shearing ability between groups. In the intervention group, mixing and shearing ability significantly increased at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. In the control group, mixing ability significantly increased at 6 months post-treatment

Conclusions
From the data of this study, which must be confirmed in other similar studies, it can be concluded that following simple dietary protocols of a healthy diet with regular and scheduled meals can help patients to obtain an adequate masticatory function in the immediate time interval (3-6 months) after the acquisition of a new complete denture.

Clinical implications
To help patients get used to a new complete denture and be able to chew better right away, the dentist, in addition to giving advice on the care of the new prosthesis, must also give advice on conducting a healthy and regular diet.

For additional information: Influence of simplified dietary advice combined with new complete denture fabrication on masticatory function of complete denture wearers