[Study of masticatory forces of complete denture wearers]

Bilateral balanced occlusion is believed to be one of the ideal types of occlusion for complete denture. However, there are still many obscure items about its function during mastication, considering that the occlusion is adjusted on the articulators under the no-food condition. To analyze this problem, the author has already developed a six-channel telemetry system for recording the masticatory forces during mastication. This study was performed with this system. The purpose of this study was to analyze the occlusal force of the lower artificial posteriors in the cases of complete denture with bilateral balanced occlusion during mastication. In this report, the masticatory force and impulse in three complete denture wearers were measured and studied. The results were as follows: 1. On the working side, the lower artificial first molars showed the strongest force among the same side artificial posteriors, as previously reported. 2. On the balancing side, the lower artificial second premolars showed the strongest force and impulse, followed in order by the lower artificial first molars and the second molars. 3. It is suggested that the lower artificial second premolar of the balancing side would contribute to the denture stability during mastication.