A study on relationship between dynamic postural balance and masticatory efficiency in the elderly population with complete dentures: An in vivo study.

Aim: Mastication is an important consideration for patients seeking prosthodontic treatment. Individuals with mastication problems have increased risk of systemic diseases which can negatively affect a person's postural balance control, which in turn increases the risk of falls. This study aims to correlate masticatory efficiency and dynamic postural balance in complete denture patients at 3 and 6 months after denture insertion.

Settings and design: In vivo - observational study.

Materials and methods: Fifty edentulous healthy patients were rehabilitated with conventional complete dentures. The dynamic postural balance was evaluated using the timed up-and-go test. The masticatory efficiency was evaluated using a color-changing chewing-gum and a color scale. The values for both were recorded 3 and 6 months after denture insertion.

Statistical analysis used: Spearman's correlation.

Results: The correlation between the values of dynamic postural balance and the values of masticatory efficiency was negative (values are inversely proportional) at 3 months (-0.379) and at 6 months (-0.246).

Conclusions: This study showed that there is a correlation between dynamic postural balance and masticatory efficiency. Prosthodontic rehabilitation of edentulous patients is important for improving postural balance by generating adequate postural reflex through mandibular stability for the prevention of falls in the elderly population and improving masticatory efficiency.