Assessment of Masticatory Efficiency in Shortened Dental Arch with and without Removable Partial Dentures

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare masticatory efficiency of shortened dental arch subjects before and after insertion of removable partial denture. METHODOLOGY: A total of 66 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Masticatory efficiency and performance were evaluated with the help of sieve method before and after insertion of removable partial denture based on a procedure described by Gunne.9 The masticatory efficiency ratio was determined as volume of raw carrot that passed through sieve divided by total volume of raw carrot recovered and was expressed as percentage. RESULTS: The mean value of pre-treatment masticatory performance of the patients was 34.66 ± 2.96 while the mean value of post-treatment masticatory performance of the patients was 53.98 ± 45.91 (p-value=<0.001). The mean change from pre and post treatment of masticatory performance of the patients was 19.32 ± 3.03. CONCLUSION: According to this study there is significant improvement in masticatory performance after provision of removable partial denture in patients with shortened dental arches. Keywords: Masticatory, Shortened, Dental