ClINICal EvalUaTION Of ThE EffICaCy Of SOfT aCRylIC DENTURE COmpaRED TO CONvENTIONal ONE WhEN RESTORINg SEvEREly RESORbED EDENTUlOUS RIDgE

The prosthodontist encounters increasing problems in the fabrication of a well functioning complete denture over a resorbed edentulous ridge. The objective of this study was to clinically evaluate the efficacy of the soft acrylic denture compared to conventional one when used to restore a severely resorbed ridge. Both quantitative and qualitative parameters were assessed. Quantitative parameters were bite force and chewing efficiency (velocity), which was measured 1 week, 3 and 6 months follow-up period, as well as retention force. This latter was recorded after 6 months. Qualitative parameters included denture fit, tissue condition, denture satisfaction, denture complaint and chewing ability. These parameters were assessed after 1 week and 6 months. Eleven subjects were included in the study. They first received conventional dentures. These latters were then substituted with duplicate dentures processed from soft heat cured acrylic resin materials. Results revealed nonsignificant difference between both types of denture among chewing ability and efficiency of soft food, stability scores, tissue response and satisfaction rate. Chewing efficiency of hard food and bite force showed significant difference in favor to conventional type. Retention force differed significantly in favor to conventional type in mandibular dentures. Conversely, soft acrylic dentures recorded high significant value in maxillary dentures. Morover, they showed higher significant score of complaint among both conventional upper and soft lower dentures. It was concluded that soft acrylic denture had a better retention of the upper denture, good tissue response, acceptable chewing efficiency and ability, moderate stability scores and high rates of patients’ satisfaction. Therefore it could solve the problem of severely atrophic ridge especially in maxilla and should be considered a treatment option according to patients’ behavior and ridge nature and quality.