A clinical study to evaluate denture adhesive use in well-fitting dentures.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was the assessment of retention and stability and functional benefits of denture adhesive applied to well-fitting and well-made dentures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a randomized, crossover study to compare two marketed denture adhesives (test cream, Super Poligrip® Free, and test strip, Super Poligrip® Comfort Seal Strips) and an unmarketed cream adhesive (GlaxoSmith Kline Consumer Healthcare) with no adhesive as the negative control. Thirty-six subjects completed the study. One hour after the application of denture adhesive, retention and stability were measured using the Kapur Index and maxillary incisal bite force. Two hours after application, functional tests were used to assess denture movement and peanut particle migration under the denture. Subjects also rated confidence, comfort, satisfaction with dentures, and denture wobble in conjunction with the functional tests.

RESULTS

Denture adhesives significantly (p < 0.05) improved retention and stability of well-fitting dentures. Subjects experienced significantly (p < 0.05) fewer dislodgements while eating an apple after adhesive was applied to dentures. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in subjective ratings of confidence and comfort as well as decreases in denture wobble were associated with the use of adhesive. There was significant (p < 0.05) improvement in satisfaction ratings for cream adhesives. A single application of each denture adhesive was well tolerated.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study provide evidence that use of Super Poligrip® denture adhesives can enhance aspects of performance of complete well-fitting dentures as well as provide increased comfort, confidence, and satisfaction with dentures.