Effect of Denture Adhesives in New Complete Dentures During a Function

Background: Denture adhesives are often a matter of controversy. Patients seem to easily accept the use of denture adhesives, while professionals are more hesitant. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the self-perception, bite force and masticatory efficiency of complete denture wearers with denture adhesives. Methods: Fifteen complete denture wearers had their bite force measured by a gnathodynamometer in the molar region. Subjects also masticated 12 tablets of a chewable artificial test material for 35 masticatory cycles. The test material was washed, dried, sieved and weighed. Both tests were taken with and without the denture adhesive (Corega Ultra). The questionnaire Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was applied to evaluate self-perception with dentures. Results and Conclusion: Masticatory efficiency and bite force for the control group (without denture adhesive) and for the group with denture adhesive presented no statistically significant differences (p = 0.2080 and p = 0.2489, respectively). Self-perception according to the GOHAI index was great for 13% of participants, 40% considered it regular and 47% evaluated it as bad. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the use of denture adhesive did not promote an improvement in bite force and masticatory efficiency. According to the GOHAI index, self-perception of the participants was classified as bad.