Maximum Voluntary Tongue Pressure in Eichner's Group C Denture Wearers

Objectives: For estimating tongue function quantitatively, we developed a handy device for intraoral pressure measurement. For the present study we addressed the effect of removable dentures on the maximum voluntary tongue pressure (MVTP) in Japanese healthy adults with Eichner's group C occlusal support.

Methods: Fifty-three Japanese healthy adults wearing their satisfactory dentures (22 men and 31 women, 65 to 74 years of age) participated. According to the Eichner's Index, their occlusal support is group C: having no occlusal supporting antagonistic contact. To record MVTP, the participants were asked to compress the balloon segment (diameter: 18mm) at the tip of the probe onto their palates for 7 seconds by maximum voluntary effort of their tongue. Produced pressures were recorded three times at 1 min. intervals, both with and without wearing their dentures.

Results: MVTP of participants wearing their dentures was 34±10kPa (mean±1SD). MVTP without wearing dentures was 37±12kPa, significantly higher than MVTP with dentures after adjusting age and gender (p<0.05). Both MVTP values were within the range of standard values of MVTP reported in our former study with dentate elderly.

Conclusion: People who were using satisfactory dentures kept good capacity of tongue function. In Eicher's class C situation, tongue may exert enough compression pressure against palate even without dentures.

Grant-in-Aid (No.17390520) from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Sports, Science, Culture and Technology; (No.H14-Chouju-020) from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.