Oral food processing and swallowing threshold for digitally constructed complete dentures versus conventional...

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Complete dentures (CDs) impact mastication and swallowing.
• Digital fabrication workflows for CDs are emerging, but their functional performance relative to conventional methods is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the functional performance of digitally fabricated complete dentures versus conventionally fabricated complete dentures in edentulous patients.
• To assess oral food processing and swallowing thresholds using the Test of Mastication and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS).

Main Methods:

• A randomized crossover study involving 14 edentulous participants.
• Participants received both conventionally and digitally fabricated CDs, each worn for 3 months.
• Oral food processing and swallowing thresholds were evaluated using the TOMASS test.

Main Results:

• Swallowing threshold was significantly higher with conventionally fabricated CDs compared to digital CDs (P<.001).
• All TOMASS test parameters showed significantly higher values for the conventional workflow group (P<.004).

Conclusions:

• Conventional complete denture fabrication resulted in significantly improved swallowing thresholds and oral food processing compared to digital fabrication.
• Conventional methods may offer superior functional outcomes for edentulous patients requiring complete dentures.