Influence of Occlusal Force on Electroencephalograms in Edentulous Patients

Purpose: This study explored the effect of improved occlusal force resulting from complete denture treatment on electroencephalogram (EEG) findings to determine if such an outcome is a factor contributing to activation of synaptic/neuronal dysfunction in the brain. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three individuals with complete upper and lower dentures who visited the Department of Removable Prosthodontics at Tsurumi University Dental Hospital were included in this study. The Dental Prescale Occluzer FPD-705 system was used to perform an objective measurement of occlusal force before and after denture treatment. EEGs were recorded for 3 minutes in patients receiving complete dentures before and after denture treatment. Then, D alpha values were calculated using a diagnosis method of neuronal dysfunction analysis to evaluate changes in synaptic/neuronal dysfunction of the brain. To investigate whether occlusal force affects D alpha, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (alpha = 0.05) was used to test the association between occlusal force (N) and D alpha based on the rates of change in occlusal force and D alpha calculated by dividing the measurement values after denture treatment by the measurement values before denture treatment. Results: Medial occlusal force increased from 184.9 N before treatment to 277.2 N after treatment. A statistically significant increase in occlusal force (p < 0.05) was observed, with a total of 22 participants exhibiting increased occlusal force after denture treatment. The medial D alpha value increased from 0.943 before treatment to 0.957 after treatment. A statistically significant increase in D alpha (p < 0.05) was observed, and a total of 19 participants exhibited increased D alpha values after denture treatment. The regression line was calculated as Y = 14.049X - 12.450. As occlusal force increased, D alpha values increased as well. A significant positive correlation was observed between occlusal force and D alpha (r = 0.498, p < 0.05). Conclusions: A positive correlation was observed between improved occlusal force attained via complete denture treatment and the activation of D alpha. This finding reveals occlusal force as a denture treatment outcome that contributes to the activation of synaptic/neuronal dysfunction in the brain.