[Studies on the retention of total lower dentures in relation to the time of wearing]

Clinical experience in the prosthetical care of edentulous patients shows that primarily patients wearing dentures for the first time express the desire, after a few months, to have original denture adhesion restored. Especially for complete lower dentures diminishing adhesion is unfavorable. Measurements regarding the adhesive strength of complete lower dentures of 34 patients showed that adhesive strength is decreasing. This was measured and statistically evaluated in this investigation. 33 percent of the original adhesive strength is lost within 6 months. With originally strong adhesion (2, 000 p) this reduction is more drastic than with originally small adhesion (200 p). It was not possible to establish that adhesive strength is declining preferably as a result of a specific anatomic situation.