[Study on the number of denture adjustments in complete denture wearers--relationship to mandibular ridge shape]

This study investigated the relationship between the degree of mandibular alveolar ridge resorption and the number of denture adjustments after insertion of dentures in complete denture wearers.

The subjects were 77 complete denture patients (34 males, 43 females, mean age 69.1+/-8.1 years). Using bite plates of Gothic arch tracing for new denture production, the width, height, and inclination toward the tentative occlusal plane of the mandibular alveolar ridge corresponding to the canine areas (C), first premolar areas (P1), second premolar areas (P2), and first molar areas (M1) were measured bilaterally, and the relationship with the number of denture adjustment was evaluated.

The mean of number of denture adjustments was 4.4+/-1.8 times (male 3.8 times, female 5.0 times), showing a significant difference between males and females (p<0.01). The alveolar ridge mean width was C: 9.7 mm, P1: 10.4 mm, P2: 11.5 mm, and M1: 13.0 mm respectively. The alveolar ridge mean height was C: 4.3 mm, P1: 4.6 mm, P2: 4.9 mm, and M1: 5.2 mm. The alveolar ridge mean inclination was C: 11.2 degrees, P1: 13.5 degrees, P2: 15.4 degrees, and M1: 18.8 degrees. The width and height of the mandibular alveolar ridge in C, P1, P2, and M1 were significantly larger in males than in females (p<0.05). The height of mandibular alveolar ridge was significantly lower in high number of denture adjustment than in low number of denture adjustment (p<0.05).

Complete denture wearers showed a high relation between the number of denture adjustment and the mandibular alveolar ridge height.