Effect of a denture adhesive on complete denture dislodgement during mastication.

A method of evaluating the denture stabilizing effects of a denture adhesive by means of counting denture dislodgements during the eating of a standardized portion of a test food is described. A reduction in the number of such dislodgements after application of a denture adhesive, as compared to eating the same food without adhesive applied to the denture, was used as a measure of adhesive effectiveness. Subject responses to a number of denture-performance satisfaction parameters were also obtained. With a test adhesive, significant reductions in dislodgement were found using steak, taffy-apple, a hard-roll sandwich, and celery as test foods among 16 subjects with dentures that fit well. Analysis of subjective evaluations indicated that the test adhesive was perceived as having effected: (1) improved chewing ability, (2) reduced denture wobble, (3) improved confidence, (4) increased comfort, and (5) reduced amount of food particles collecting under the denture, all to a significant degree (p < .01). It is suggested that additional data from controlled clinical studies are needed to allow proper assessment of the usefulness and possible abuse effects of denture adhesive products. This method, and the resulting data, are offered as a stimulus to the end.