The Effect of Complete Denture Occlusion on Function and Patient Quality of Life: Systematic Review

Edentulism presents an ongoing challenge for prosthodontic dentistry. Many aspects of complete denture construction lack contemporary evidence. One such aspect is denture occlusion. Balanced occlusion (BO) has become the prevailing occlusal scheme. It has been suggested that canine guidance (CG) is unsuitable for complete denture occlusion due to an increased risk for tipping of the prostheses. However it may be indicated in patients with minimal alveolus resorption. There has been limited evidence suggesting the superiority of either occlusal scheme over another. This article investigates the available literature assessing complete denture occlusion by means of clinical trials or reviews of evidence. We utilised PRISMA guidelines to investigate the effect of complete denture occlusal scheme (balance occlusion vs. canine guidance) on functional or quality of life. Seven studies were included for review. All studies were poor to moderate quality with the majority lacking randomisation, blinding and demographic data from the study sample. The available evidence suggests that the differences between occlusal schemes may be small, challenging the notion that BO may be the optimal occlusal scheme. There is a need for high-quality clinical research, investigating both chewing ability and quality of life in complete denture wearers in the long-term.