Changes in the masticatory function of complete denture wearers after relining the mandibular denture with a soft denture liner

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the masticator y function of complete denture wearers after relining the mandibular dentur e with a soft liner. Materials and Methods: Conventional complete dentures were fabricated for 6 completely edentulous patients. One month after compl eting adjustments of the dentures, maximum biting force, masticatory perfor mance, and electromyography of the masseter muscle during mastication were recorded. Chewing strokes, chewing time, muscular activity, and masticatory rhythm were calculated using the recorded electromyography. The mandibular dentures were then relined with a soft liner. One month after finishing ad justments of the relined dentures, the same tests were performed. These val ues were compared using a paired t test (alpha = 0.05). Results: When using the soft liner, masticatory performance and maximum biting force were sign ificantly greater (P = 0.019 and P= 0.023, respectively). In addition, the number of chewing strokes was significantly lower (P = 0.020), and chewing time was reduced (P = 0.010). A more stable masticatory rhythm was also fou nd in the initial chewing stage. The muscular activity tended to decrease a fter the insertion of the lined denture, but no significant difference was found between before and after relining. Conclusion: It was shown that appl ying a soft lining material to the mandibular dentures of 6 edentulous pati ents improved masticatory function with no adverse effect on the muscular t ask.