ASSESSMENT OF PATIENT SATISFACTION AND MASTICATORY EFFICIENCY WITH BALANCED OCCLUSION COMPARED TO CANINE GUIDED OCCLUSION IN COMPLETE DENTURE WEARERS

Abstract

Various techniques and occlusal schemes have been employed in complete dentures for increased patient comfort and function. This study was done to compare the balanced occlusion and canine guided occlusion among complete denture wearers by assessment of patient satisfaction. Sixty edentulous patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A for balanced occlusion and Group B for canine guided occlusion. Two months after denture insertion, patients of both groups were asked to rate their satisfaction levels using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for satisfaction criteria. Masticatory efficiency was analyzed using 15g peanuts divided into 5 equal portions in two separate tests. Test 1 - chewing for 15 seconds and Test 2 - chewing same amount till swallowing threshold. Peanuts collected on a graduated sieve were dried and weighed for both tests. Comparison among groups for outcomes of patient satisfaction and masticatory efficiency separately were insignificant. However there was a significant correlation between overall patient satisfaction and masticatory efficiency. Insignificant difference between the two occlusal schemes showed that occlusal schemes alone have limited role in overall satisfaction. Biological factors, personality traits and patient dentist relationship may also affect the overall satisfaction.