[Influence of setting position of palatal bar on thickness discrimination]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation of thickness discrimination by wearing an upper removable partial denture. We investigated the thickness discrimination by changing the covered area and the food-recognizing area of the palate. We also evaluated the variation of thickness discrimination after two weeks of wearing the plate which covered the anterior area of the palate.

Four kinds of experimental palatal plate, which covered the anterior, middle, posterior and whole area of the palate, were used. Five kinds of test pieces were used for the thickness discrimination test. The same test pieces coated with a fit checking material for removable dentures were used to detect the food-recognizing area. The thickness discrimination test was done after two weeks by the same method mentioned above.

The food-recognizing area was the anterior part of the plate regardless of with or without the experimental palatal plate. Although the thickness discriminative ability was the worst when wearing the plate that covered the anterior part of the palate, the ability improved by wearing the plate for two weeks.

These results suggest that the removable partial denture covering the anterior part of the palate decreased the food discrimination, but it improved by wearing for two weeks.