Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the masticatory performance and bite force in complete denture wearer rehabilitated with thermoplastic nylon and thermoplastic acrylic resin denture base.
Methods: This study was done in out patients clinics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Al- Azhar University. Masticatory performance and maximum bite force were evaluated in randomly selected forty completely edentulous patients. The patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group I: Patient received a thermoplastic acrylic complete denture. (Polyan IC TM bredent GmbH & Co.KG, Germany). Group II: Patient received a thermoplastic nylon complete denture. (Vertex™ ThermoSens, Vertex-Dental B.V. Netherlands). Masticatory performance and maximum bite force measurements were taken one week after new denture placement and after six months of denture use. Statistics were analyzed using Independent t-test to compare the masticatory performance and maximum bite force measurements between both groups.
Results: After one week of new denture placement, there were no significance differences in masticatory performance and maximum bite force measurements between both groups. Masticatory performance and maximum bite force were increased considerably after six months of denture use. The masticatory performance and maximum bite force values were considerably higher in patients with a thermoplastic nylon denture than patients with thermoplastic acrylic denture with statistical significant difference after six months of denture use.
Conclusion: After six months of denture use, patients with a thermoplastic nylon denture have a higher masticatory performance and biting force than patients with a thermoplastic acrylic denture. Therefore, thermoplastic nylon denture could be used in management of completely edentulous patients with diminished masticatory performance bite force.