Influence of lower complete denture use on masseter muscles and masticatory function: A longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Edentulism can reduce mastication, leading to changes in food pattern, with possible consequences to masticatory muscle thickness. OBJECTIVES: This study verified masticatory function and oral perception in subjects who did not use lower CDs, and whether the insertion of new upper and lower CDs would improve such variables. METHODS: Fifteen edentulous elderly who wore only the upper CD were selected and received new upper and lower CD. Volunteers were evaluated at baseline and after 1, 3 and 6 months of new prosthesis use. Masticatory performance (MP) was assessed by the sieving method (X(50) values). Masseter thickness (MT) was evaluated by ultrasonography. Oral sensorial ability (OSA) was assessed by oral stereognosis test and maximum tongue pressure (MTP) was verified by pressure sensors. Data were submitted to repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer posthoc tests (alpha = 0.05). Correlation between OSA and MTP was verified by Person's correlation. RESULTS: X(50) and MTP decreased (P < 0.05) after 1 month and remained stable (P > 0.05) for next assessments. After 3 months, MT in rest position was increased (P < 0.05), while during maximum voluntary contraction 1 month was enough to increase MT (P < 0.05). There were no differences for OSA (P > 0.05) and no correlation between OSA and MTP. CONCLUSION: Masticatory performance and masseter thickness of elderly who did not use the lower dentures were improved after 2 months using new upper and lower CDs. However, new CDs in both dental arch decreased MTP. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC #RBR-37gdst).