Maxillary sensory nerve responses induced by different types of dentures

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether different types of dentures induced different responses to stimulations in sensory nerve underlying the denture-supporting mucosa using current perception threshold (CPT).

Materials and methods: The study population comprised 45 complete denture wearers with a mean age of 69.7 years (CD), 30 partial denture wearers (PD) with a mean age of 67.1 years, and 40 dentulous participants with a mean age of 69.0 years (Dent). Current perception threshold (CPT) on the greater palatine nerve at 2000 Hz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz, corresponding to A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers respectively, were measured by the Neurometer® NS3000 device. The differences CPTs among CD, PD, and Dent groups were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test with adjusting the multiple comparisons' inflation of type 1 error rate by a Bonferroni correction.

Results: CPTs of CD, PD, and Dent group at 2000 Hz were 61.5±45.8, 53.5±25.3, 33.0±11.4 (10(-2) mA) respectively. CPTs of CD, PD, and Dent group at 250 Hz were 29.2±28.2, 20.1±13.2, 14.3±5.9 (10(-2) mA) respectively. CPTs of CD, PD, and Dent group at 5 Hz were 28.9±23.4, 17.8±12.2, 12.2±5.6 (10(-2) mA) respectively. The CPTs at all frequencies increased in the following order: Dent<PD<CD wearer. The statistical analyses showed that the different types of dentures significantly affected CPTs at 2000 Hz (p<0.0001), 250 Hz (p<0.0001), and 5 Hz (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: The different types of dentures induce different responses to stimulations in the sensory nerve underlying the denture-supporting mucosa.