Thermographic Analysis of Completely Edentulous Patients with and Without Complete Dentures - A Clinical Pilot Study

Abstract

To assess the difference in oral temperature recorded through non- contact infra red thermography, in completely edentulous patients with and without complete denture wearing. To correlate the values obtained to assess the oral health with and without complete denture. A thermocam forward looking infrared camera was used to record the images of maxillary and mandibular arches in completely edentulous patients grouped into denture wearing and non- denture wearing sub groups at standardized conditions. The saved images were processed using the software given by the manufacturer to assess the oral temperatures in both the groups. The mean temperature in maxilla for non- denture wearing subjects was 35.77 degree Celsius and for denture wearing subjects was 37.23 degree Celsius. The mean temperature in mandible for non- denture wearing subjects was 35.83 degree Celsius and for denture wearing patients was 37.37 degree Celsius. The results were statistically analysed using Independent T- test. The overall values for edentulous maxilla and mandible for complete denture wearers were higher and statistically significant when compared to values for non-denture wearers. Within the limitation of the study, the clinical pilot study indicated that complete denture wearers recorded values closer to the normal oral temperatures whereas comparatively non-denture wearers recorded lower temperatures.