A clinical study to evaluate and compare the masticatory performance in complete denture wearers with and without soft liners.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Soft liners are mainly used with complete dentures in case of poor mucosal conditions and for the even distribution of masticatory forces. However, there is some doubt as to whether the elasticity of the soft liner disturbs masticatory function because denture wearers may need extra force to compress the soft liners, leading to muscle fatigue. So, this clinical study was done to evaluate and compare the masticatory performance in patients wearing complete dentures with and without the use of soft liners. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty edentulous subjects were selected for the study. For each patient two sets of complete dentures were fabricated. First set without the use of soft liner and the second one for using with soft liner. Peanuts were selected as test food for the study and the chewed food was pooled for a single measurement and then poured on sieves. Both filter and filtrate were collected and was centrifuged. Masticatory performance in this study has been quantitated by dividing the volume of test food passing through the sieve by the total volume of test food recovered. The fraction is then expressed as a percent. RESULTS With the paired t-test performed, significant difference was found between the masticatory performance in patients wearing complete dentures with and without the use of soft liners. 5% difference was seen in the mean performance. CONCLUSION It has been concluded from this study that, masticatory performance in patients wearing complete dentures with the use of soft liners was improved by 5% when compared to the patients wearing complete dentures without using soft liners. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE This present study indicates that the masticatory performance enhanced with the use of soft liners for complete denture patients.