A randomized crossover clinical trial comparing masticatory function between lingualized balanced occlusion and conventional balanced occlusion for complete dentures

There is a lack of evidence to recommend the occlusal scheme that produces the more positive results for the masticatory function of conventional complete denture wearers. The purpose of this study was to compare the masticatory function between 2 types of occlusal schemes for conventional complete dentures in a randomized crossover clinical trial. One set of conventional complete dentures was constructed for each participant (n=18). The mandibular denture had interchangeable teeth that allow changing the occlusal scheme (Conventional Balanced Occlusion and Lingualized Balanced Occlusion). Each occlusal scheme was worn for 15 days after follow up appointments in a randomized order. Objective and subjective tests were carried-out at the end of each period of the use of a specific scheme. Masticatory performance was tested with two natural test foods (almonds and toast coffee beans) and two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to compare differences between the groups (α=.05).There was a significant difference between the masticatory performance of the participants for Lingualized Balanced Occlusion and Conventional balanced Occlusion. No significant difference was observed when almonds were utilized. Lingualized Balanced Occlusion produced a significant better masticatory performance of the participants when coffee beans were the test food. No significant differences were observed between the occlusal schemes in the subjective tests.