The Effects of Wearing a Removable-Partial-Denture on the Bite Forces: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract: Background: Removable partial dentures are a frequently used prosthetic treatment in the
elderly population, but different types or RPDs might guarantee different chewing capabilities. In
many studies, the relationship between chewing and aging has been reported and it has been shown
that efficient chewing can improve the overall quality of life. Objectives: In the present study, the
relationship between maximum bite force (MBF) and RPDs was studied. A relationship between the
body mass index (BMI) and the type of prosthesis was also analyzed. Methods: 240 elderly patients,
120 males and 120 females, with bilateral posterior edentulism (class 1 of Kennedy classification)
who had been wearing an RPD for at least a year, were recruited. Patients were divided into two
groups: Group 1: male (n = 60) and female (n = 60) patients with bilateral edentulous areas located
posterior to the remaining natural teeth and natural teeth in the opposite dental arch. Group 2: male
(n = 60) and female (n = 60) patients with maxillary and mandibular bilateral edentulous areas located
posterior to the remaining natural teeth. Their Body Mass Index (BMI) and Maximum bite
force (MBF) were measured and compared according to the material and design of their RPD. Results:
In both Groups, patients wearing cobalt-chrome alloy RPDs (Co-Cr-RPD) (Group 1: 20.25 ±
6.7 MBF, p < 0.001; Group 2: 16.0 ± 5.7 MBF, p < 0.001) had an increased MBF when compared to
polymethylmethacrylate RPD (PMMA-RPD) (Group 1: 12.9 ± 3.36 MBF; Group 2: 10.4 + 2.8 MBF),
and Valplast RPD (V-RPD) (Group 1: 14.3 ± 4.7 MBF; Group 2: 11.3 ± 3.4 MBF) users. There were no
significant differences in bite force between patients wearing PMMA-RPD and V- RPD in both
Groups. Patients in Group 2 showed a lower MBF than those in Group 1 (Group 1: 16.05 ± 6.13 MBF;
Group 2: 12.6 ± 4.84 MBF; p < 0.001). Conclusions: A reduction in chewing force can lead to choosing
softer foods for nutrition, which can lead to an increase in BMI. Our results show that only CoCr-
RPD wearers were able to chew consistent food, whereas PMMA- RPD and V-RPD, due to the properties
of the materials, their instability, and the possibility of causing pain during mastication, determined
a limitation in the choice of food for many of the participants.