Vibration analysis of obturator prostheses with different bulb height designs

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on the vibratory characteristics of a cast hollow obturator prosthesis retainer when varying its bulb height. Bulb parts with high (H), middle (M), and low (L) lateral walls were prepared. A Vibration Generator was used to excite the three obturators, while a Laser-Doppler Vibrometer was employed to detect the vibrations at specified measurement points. The frequency response functions of each obturator were recorded on an FFT analyzer to enable their modal shapes to be identified. In addition, transient response simulations were carried out and the decay rate (DR) and the maximum amplitude (MA) of the rest and clasp parts of each obturator were obtained. These were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD test (p < 0.01). The modal shapes were almost the same in all obturators. Significant differences were found in DR in all pairs among the three obturator prostheses, with the DR of the L type being the highest. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in MA. We conclude that the L type is preferable from the standpoint of its vibratory characteristics.