THE EFFECT OF ULTRA-SUCTION SYSTEM ON THE RETENTION OF MANDIBULAR COMPLETE DENTURE

Aim of the study: To investigate the effect of the ultrasuction system on the retention of mandibular complete dentures. Material and methods: This study was conducted on seven completely edentulous patients. Each patient received a maxillary and two mandibular complete dentures, a conventional (set I) and an ultrasuction retained denture (set II). Patients were left to function with each denture set for a period of one month during which they were recalled to test the denture retention at time of denture delivery, one, two and four weeks later. In the retention test a specially designed retention testing device was used to pull the dentures from their geographic centers. The collected records were statistically analyzed using the paired t test. Results: The mean retention values for set I dentures were 157.96 ± 29.75, 165.57 ±29.21,170.77 ±29.64 and 175.26 ±29.03 at the baseline and after one, two and four weeks respectively, while for set II dentures the values were 187.80 ±28.52, 196.17 ±29.18, 201.51 ±28.82, 206.93 ±28.56 at the baseline and after one, two and four weeks, respectively. Statistical analysis of these data revealed a significant increase in the retention after the application of the ultrasuction system and a significant increase in the retention of both sets of dentures by time (p≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The ultrasuction system increases the retention of mandibular complete dentures. However, further long term prospective clinical studies are recommended to investigate the biological effect of the system on the supporting tissues.

Egyptian Dental Association Volume (56), Number (1.1), Jan 2010