Swallowing activity of lip muscles in patients with a complete upper and a partial lower denture

In 30 partially edentulous subjects provided with an immediate complete upper and a partial lower free-end denture the lip activity in swallowing was studied before and after denture treatment and during a 2-year period of denture wearing. Electromyographic recordings of the right side upper and lower orbicularis oris, mentalis and anterior temporal muscles were obtained during swallowing saliva and during swallowing of water with and without the dentures in the mouth. In the different types of swallows recorded, the lower lip and mentalis muscles showed much stronger activity than the upper lip and anterior temporal muscles and also initiated the swallowing activity. No significant changes in mean voltages of the swallowing activity were observed during the 2-year observation period. On the other hand, the durations of the swallows showed marked increases after 1 year of denture use, when no further rebasings of the complete upper denture had been made.