Psychomotor patient training to enhance retention of complete dentures

A training device is used in conjunction with an exercise program to teach muscle control for retention of a mandibular denture. The training instrument consists of a shellac record base connected with string to an extraoral spring balance scale. Instructions are given in the use of the tongue, lip, and cheek muscles for denture retention. The patient is then asked to displace the seated record base by pulling on the scale. Higher measurements on the scale indicate increased resistance to displacement of the denture base. The process is repeated and increased resistance is obtained. There appears to be a substantial positive transfer of skills derived from use of the training device to successful function with the completed prosthesis.