Influence of the functional improvement of complete dentures on brain activity

To elucidate the influence of the improvement of denture function on brain activity in complete denture wearers.

Eighteen complete denture wearers (5 males and 13 females, 63-87 years, mean: 75.2 years) participated in the study. To evaluate denture function, the occlusal contact area and occlusal force were measured for comparison before and after denture treatment using the Dental Prescale Occluzer (GC Co., Tokyo, Japan). To evaluate brain activity, electroencephalogram data obtained using an electroencephalographic measurement apparatus ESA-pro (Brain Functions Laboratory, Inc., Kanagawa, Japan) were analyzed using DIMENSION (Diagnosis Method of Neural Dysfunction). The duration of the measurement was 3 minutes before and after denture treatment.

The occlusal contact area significantly increased after denture treatment in all 18 subjects (p<0.05). The occlusal force significantly increased in 17 patients (p<0.05). Activation of brain activity was noted in 14 of the 18 patients (p<0.05). Measurement before denture treatment showed that 12 patients were in the sub-normal/impaired region and 6 were in the normal region. After denture treatment, brain activity was significantly activated in all 12 patients who were in the impaired/sub-normal region before treatment.

An improvement in denture function was observed after denture treatment in complete denture wearers, and brain activity was enhanced by the functional improvement in the complete dentures. Not only denture function improvement but also brain functional activation was achieved by denture treatment in elderly complete denture wearers who were at risk of brain activity deterioration.