Effect of Soft Liner on Masticatory Efficiency and Bite Force in First-time Complete Denture Wearers: A Crossover Clinical Study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the masticatory efficiency and bite force of patients wearing complete mandibular dentures with and without a soft acrylic liner, having no previous denture-wearing experience. Materials and methods: A total of 24 healthy, completely edentulous patients aged 45–65 years with no previous history of complete denture wear were included. Participants were provided with a conventional maxillary denture against either a conventional mandibular denture [conventional complete denture (CCD)] followed by a new mandibular denture lined with acrylic soft liner [acrylic soft liner complete denture (ASLCD)] or in the reverse sequence as per the randomization chart. The masticatory efficiency was measured using a spectrophotometer, and the bite force was measured using a piezoelectric quartz sensor-based bite force-measuring device. The outcome variables were evaluated at 3 and 6 weeks after the insertion of each mandibular denture in all patients using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and intergroup comparison was done with paired t-test. The p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Mean difference in masticatory efficiency showed a significant difference among the two groups, 0.233 ± 0.037 and 0.443 ± 0.164 (optical density at λmax = 530 nm) at 3 and 6 weeks, respectively (p < 0.001). Bite force increased with time in both groups and the significant difference in mean difference was found as 15.48 ± 2.72 at 3 weeks and 17.35 ± 3.87 N at 6 weeks (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Masticatory efficiency and bite force improved significantly over time for first-time complete denture wearers. A better outcome was observed with acrylic soft-lined mandibular dentures compared to when the same patients wore the denture without a liner.