[Movements of facial surface in edentulous patients]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of complete denture on the movement of the soft tissues surrounding the oral cavity during oral function. Total of 71 clinically healthy edentulous patients were selected for this study. Forty-seven points on the skin surface of the face of each subject were selected as measuring points and were marked. The movement of these measuring points under the condition of thrusting of the lips, pulling the mouth corners backward, intentional occlusion and smile were measured three-dimensionally when the denture was worn and not worn. The findings were as follows: 1. The changes in the facial structure with and without the denture were marked in the lips. 2. The changes in the movement of the measuring points on the lip surface with and without the denture were found to be large during the thrusting of the lips and pulling the mouth corners backward. 3. The changes in the movement of the measuring points in the lower parts of the facial surface with and without the denture could be measured over a wide range during intentional occlusion. 4. Activities of the mouth corner points were marked, but the changes in the movement with and without the denture were insignificant.