[Studies on the stability of total prostheses]

Area of Science:

• Dental prosthetics
• Biomechanical engineering
• Geriatric dentistry

Context:

• Complete dentures are common prosthetic solutions for edentulous patients.
• Assessing denture stability and function is crucial for patient satisfaction and oral health.
• Previous research has focused on denture base materials and fit, with less emphasis on longitudinal changes in stability.

Purpose:

• To objectively evaluate the load capacity and positional stability of complete upper and lower dentures over time.
• To investigate the relationship between denture stability, denture bearing tissues, and patient subjective assessments.
• To compare the performance of upper versus lower complete dentures.

Summary:

• Complete upper dentures demonstrated objectively greater load capacity than lower dentures.
• Denture stability decreased in upper dentures and increased in lower dentures with extended wear time.
• Objective stability measurements did not consistently correlate with patients' subjective reports of function, with most patients reporting satisfactory function regardless of objective findings.

Impact:

• Findings challenge the sole reliance on denture bearing tissue quality for stability assessment.
• Highlights the dynamic nature of denture stability and the potential for adaptation or decline over time.
• Informs clinical practice regarding patient education and realistic expectations for complete denture function and longevity.