Preliminary study on the application of therapeutic dentures with flat occlusal tables in edentulous patients with neuromuscular dysfunction

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic dentures with flat tables in edentulous patients with neuromuscular dysfunction. Methods Thirteen edentulous patients with neuromuscular dysfunction participated in this study. Initially, conventional complete dentures were fabricated using the biofunctional prosthetic system(BPS)method and delivered to the patients. The satisfaction questionnaire and oral health-related quality of life(OHRQoL) were assessed on the day of delivery and again two weeks later. The patients whose grades of over-all satisfactory fewer than 8 were participated in neuromuscular training with therapeutic dentures. Subsequently, 4 mm of the occlusal surfaces of the mandibular artificial posterior teeth were removed to create flat tables. Once the mandibular position was stabilized, new mandibular denture was fabricated and the same assessments were conducted on the day of delivery. Results In edentulous patients with neuromuscular dysfunction, there were no significant improvements in satisfaction, or OHRQoL on the day of delivery or two weeks later. However, significant improvements in satisfaction and OHRQoL were observed after the definitive dentures delivered following neuromuscular training(P<0.05). Conclusion Thetherapeutic dentures with flat tables can improve the neuromuscular function in edentulous patients with neuromuscular dysfunction, significantly increasing their satisfaction in the dentures, while also enhancing their quality of life.