The Influence of Age, Gender, Mandibular Bone Height, Previous Experience with Prostheses, and Fabrication Methods on Masticatory Performance of Complete Denture Wearers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of age, gender, mandibular bone height, previous experience with prostheses, and methods for denture fabrication on masticatory performance of complete denture (CD) wearers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, 29 individuals treated with CDs fabricated by simplified or conventional methods had their masticatory performance assessed 4 weeks after the prostheses' adjustment and control, using the sieve method and almonds as a natural food test. Experimental variables related to age, gender, and previous use of complete dentures were collected from dental records. Panoramic digital radiographs were used to determine mandibular bone height according to the criteria described by the American College of Prosthodontists. Data on masticatory performance were assessed using t-test for independent samples to make comparison between simplified and conventional methods, and a multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of age, gender, previous experience with CDs, and mandibular bone height on masticatory performance using SPSS software with a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS: There was no significant influence regarding the method for CD fabrication (p = 0.92), age (p = 0.36), mandibular bone height (p = 0.37), and previous experience with prostheses (p = 0.15) on masticatory performance of CD wearers. Female patients presented lower masticatory performance than male (p = 0.04) patients did.

CONCLUSIONS: Considering the limitations of this study, it was concluded that gender might be considered a risk factor for masticatory performance of CD wearers. Female patients demonstrated reduced masticatory performance in comparison to male patients.