03 November 2022

---

Comparison between two impression techniques for complete edentulous arches

Simona Chirico

---

The prevalence of edentulism among the elderly aged 65 years and older is decreasing across much of the industrialized world but increasing in developing countries. Masticatory performance in edentulous individuals is poor compared with those with complete dentition.  

Poorer masticatory performance accounts for lower maximum bite force, which leads to difficulties in chewing several food types, particularly fresh fruit and raw vegetables, and other hard and chewy foods. This consequently leads to illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Moreover, inadequate nutrient intake due to tooth loss is associated with weight loss, which is a factor in frailty.  

The traditional rehabilitation of edentulous subjects is to produce complete dentures. Due to the many steps and long implementation times, many professionals need to simplify the impression procedure by returning it to a definitive alginate impression in a single step. The multi-step traditional impression technique instead involves two dental impressions, one in alginate for the construction of a molded custom tray border and the second in silicone.  

Materials and methods  

In the study published by Komagamine et al., the authors wanted to compare the simplified impression system with the traditional system based on the chewing performance obtained with the realization of new total prostheses.  

Two different impression methods compared:

• The conventional method (C) used a molded custom tray border with an impression compound and a silicone.
• The simplified method (S) used a stock tray and an alginate.     

Participants were randomly divided into the two groups.  

Masticatory performance was assessed by mixing a color-changing chewing gum (mixing ability). Maximum occlusal force, occlusal contact area, and perceived chewing ability were assessed for each group.  

Results  

Twenty-seven patients were randomized for the study and 24 participants completed the trial. Regarding occlusal contact area, the conventional method showed significantly larger occlusal contact area than the simplified method. No significant differences were observed between the two methods regarding mixing ability, maximum occlusal force, and perceived chewing ability.  

Conclusions  

Complete dentures fabricated with the conventional method had a significantly larger occlusal contact area than those made using the simplified method.

Komagamine Y, Kanazawa M, Sato Y, Iwaki M, Jo A, Minakuchi S. “Masticatory performance of different impression methods for complete denture fabrication: A randomized controlled trial.” J Dent. 2019 Jan 31: S0300-5712 (19) 30018-1. DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2019.01.009