The objectives of this study were to provide a quantitative account of
the extent to which the maxillary complete denture moves during funct
ion (chewing, swallowing, and speech production) and to determine whet
her differences in movement occur as a function of denture fit. A tota
l of 24 patients were studied, 12 with poorly fitting dentures and 12
with well-fitting dentures. Denture movements were measured with a Myo
tronics kinesiograph that tracked the movements of a small magnet atta
ched to the inferior surface of the denture. Results indicated that de
nture movement was greatest for the two chewing activities; varied ext
ensively from individual to individual; and that there were no statist
ically significant overall movement effects as a function of fit. It w
as concluded that all maxillary dentures are subject to movements in a
ll directions, but that the degree of movement is related more to the
individual denture Rearer than it is to the fit of the denture.