Complete denture restoration is an important treatment for patients with complete edentulousness. Its main goal is to restore the patient's basic chewing function, aesthetics and speech function, and improve their quality of life. This article will systematically explain the definition of chewing function, the mechanism of action of complete dentures, the key factors affecting the restoration of chewing function, and the clinical effects, in order to provide theoretical support and reference basis for clinical practice.
1. Basic concepts and evaluation methods of masticatory function
Chewing function refers to an individual's ability to cut, grind, mix and initially digest food. It is a core component of oral physiological function. Its integrity depends on the coordinated work of multiple systems such as teeth, occlusion, jaws, masticatory muscles, neural control and oral mucosa. The evaluation methods of chewing efficiency include subjective scoring (such as visual analog scale), objective testing (such as chewable tablet quality analysis, pigment release test) and biomechanical analysis (such as electromyography recording, etc.). These evaluation methods can be used to judge the effect of denture restoration.
2. Restoration principles and mechanisms of complete dentures
Complete dentures mainly restore the chewing function by restoring the dentition morphology and establishing artificial tooth occlusion. The restoration principles include the following aspects:
Reconstruction of dental arch support : The denture covers the alveolar ridge through the base, providing support and stability for the artificial teeth.
Restore occlusal relationship : Establish stable occlusal contact through the arrangement of upper and lower artificial teeth, and restore the vertical distance and chewing path.
Replacing the functions of natural teeth : Artificial teeth are responsible for cutting and grinding food, simulating the physiological effects of natural teeth.
However, complete dentures lack the feedback regulation of the periodontal membrane, and their stability and chewing efficiency are significantly lower than those of natural teeth. The degree of their functional recovery is affected by multiple factors.
3. Factors affecting the recovery of masticatory function of complete dentures
Denture design and production quality
①, 2. Base fit : Good edge sealing and base adaptability help to enhance denture retention and stability.
②, 3. Artificial tooth arrangement and occlusal design : Reasonable occlusal design can reduce lateral force and improve the ability of dentures to withstand chewing force.
③. 4. Material selection : The hardness, elasticity and wear resistance of denture materials directly affect their service life and chewing efficiency.
Individual differences among patients
①, 6. The shape and quality of the alveolar ridge : The height, width and bone density of the alveolar ridge determine the retention conditions of the denture.
②, 7. Oral mucosal condition : Healthy oral mucosa plays an important role in the pressure-bearing capacity and comfort of the denture base.
③ 8. Muscle coordination and neural control : Elderly patients have decreased muscle strength and slow neural feedback, which will affect denture control and chewing rhythm.
Patient adaptation and training
①, 10. Patients who are newly fitted with dentures usually need to go through an adaptation period of several weeks to several months, during which they need to improve their denture manipulation ability through dietary adjustments and chewing exercises.
②, 11. Reconstruction of chewing habits : The patient needs to re-establish the coordination mechanism of alternating left and right chewing to avoid denture dislocation.
4. Clinical research progress on masticatory function after complete denture restoration
In recent years, many clinical studies have shown that full dentures have a positive effect in restoring a certain degree of chewing function, but there is still a certain gap compared with natural teeth and implant dentures. The study found that:
①. The initial chewing efficiency after restoration is generally between 20% and 30% of that of natural teeth, which can be increased to about 50% after training;
② The chewing frequency and electromyographic activity were significantly improved after wearing the dentures, especially after adjusting the occlusion and enhancing the stability of the dentures;
③ When using functional foods for evaluation (such as carrots, peanuts, chewing gum, etc.), denture users can complete the food crushing task well, but still have difficulty processing hard or fibrous foods.
5. Comparison of implant overdentures and traditional complete dentures in functional restoration
With the development of implant technology, implant-retained overdenture has become an important supplementary means of complete denture restoration, especially in cases where the mandibular bone is severely absorbed and the retention of traditional dentures is poor, the implant provides additional retention and support.
Studies have shown that compared to traditional complete dentures, implant-based overdentures can significantly improve:
Chewing efficiency : close to 60%~80% of natural teeth;
Patient satisfaction : especially in terms of retention and comfort;
Activity level of masticatory muscles : Due to the enhanced feedback of chewing signals, the myoelectric activity is closer to the natural state.
However, this restoration method requires high economic investment and good oral health maintenance capabilities and is not suitable for all patients. Therefore, traditional full dentures are still widely used in clinical practice.
VI. Clinical strategies to improve the masticatory function of complete dentures
In order to improve the chewing function of complete dentures, clinical intervention should be adopted from multiple angles:
Accurate impression and bite collection : Using functional impression materials and digital bite registration systems can improve the denture fit.
Myofunctional training guidance : Develop a personalized chewing training plan, such as oral muscle training, slow chewing method, etc.
Regular review and adjustment : including base edge trimming, occlusal repositioning and denture relining, etc.
Nutrition and dietary recommendations : Soft food, finely processed food, and gradual transition to solid food are recommended.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Although full dentures cannot completely restore the chewing function of natural teeth, they can meet daily chewing and nutritional intake needs to a large extent through scientific design, fine production, individualized adjustment and effective rehabilitation training. Patients should establish correct expectations, actively cooperate with the doctor's guidance, gradually adapt to the use of dentures, and improve their quality of life. For those with poor denture retention or long-term poor function, more advanced restorative methods such as implant dentures can be considered according to actual conditions. Developing a personalized treatment plan based on a comprehensive evaluation is the key to achieving maximum restoration of chewing function.