Statement of problemThe masticatory efficacy between dentate and edentulous individuals with and without the use of dental adhesives has been little studied. A comparative study of the addition of various agents of synthetic adhesion (vinyl methyl ether versus polyvinyl acetate) to these adhesives is needed. PurposeThe purpose of this randomized, crossover, double-blind clinical trial was to compare the masticatory efficacy of wearers of complete dentures with and without dental adhesives of 2 different compositions and that of dentate controls. Material and methodsSeventeen participants with edentulism (edentulous control and 2 experimental groups) received new maxillary and mandibular complete dentures. After an adjustment period, they participated in masticatory tests with and without the use of 2 denture adhesives (Fittydent; Fittydent International GmbH and Corega; GlaxoSmithKline). The participants with edentulism were compared with 17 dentate controls. Masticatory efficacy was evaluated while the participants were masticating a substitute for irreversible hydrocolloid (20 g) and performing a single test of mastication (with 20 masticatory strokes) at 0, 7, and 14 days. Masticatory efficiency was measured immediately after each test with the sieving method and was calculated according to the weight of the particles of the substitute in each of the sieve filters. Data were analyzed using 1-way ANOVA for simple pairs, and a multiple comparison was made using the Wilcoxon test with Bonferroni correction (α=.05). ResultsSignificant differences were found between the 2 adhesives (P<.05) in the masticatory efficacy for filters 2 and 3, and nonsignificant differences occurred for filter 1. Compared with the edentulous control group, significant differences between the use or nonuse of adhesives were found in the edentulous group for the 3 filters (P<.05). Compared with the dentate control group, significant differences were found in masticatory efficiency between the dentate control group and the other groups for all comparisons (P<.05). ConclusionsMasticatory efficacy was higher with the use of Corega denture adhesive. The masticatory efficacy was significantly higher in dentate participants compared with participants with edentulism who had complete dentures, with or without denture adhesives. A significant increase of masticatory efficacy was observed among edentulous participants with denture adhesives in relation to those not using denture adhesives.