Investigation of the torsional deformation of the complete upper denture: A pilot study

The aim of this research is to clarify whether the midline axis of the complete upper denture (CUD) is the axis of its torsion during loading, apart from the known bending deflection. Furthermore the present study is intended to estimate the influence of the anterior notches on the torsional deformation of the CUD. Using commercial edentulous molds and standardized procedures, six identical CUDs were fabricated with an initial fraenal notch of 5 mm. Two additional notch conditions were produced by deepening the notch to a total depth of 9 mm and by creating an incisal diastema of 7 mm. Five biaxial (also known as “fish bone”) strain gauges were cemented onto the palatal section of the dentures so that their middle axis coincided with the midline axis of the outer surface of the denture. For the denture specimen used in this study, the specific point of torsion was detected 2 cm from the point of contact of the two artificial central incisors. The presence of a deep fraenal notch and the combination of the deep fraenal notch with the presence of an incisal diastema increased the torsion of the CUD to a significant level (P = 0.006 and P = 0.05, respectively). It was shown that the midline can be the CUD’s axis of torsion. Biaxial strain gauges could be a reliable method of measuring the torsional deformation of the CUD.