Effects of a denture adhesive in edentulous patients after maxillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of a denture adhesive in edentulous patients after maxillectomy.

BACKGROUND: Maxillectomy patients suffer from functional impairments. Denture adhesives (DAs) are the solution in such patients. However, little is known about DAs in maxillectomy patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight edentulous patients who had undergone maxillectomy were included and divided into three groups. Group 1 (half ≤ remaining residual maxilla), Group 2 (quarter < remaining residual maxilla < half) and Group 3 (remaining residual maxilla ≤ quarter). They were evaluated by a speech intelligibility test and a mixing ability test, respectively. A cream-type DA called New Poligrip(®) (GlaxoSmithKline, Tokyo, Japan) was used.

RESULTS: Applying the DA, speech intelligibility showed a higher score than the data without DA.

CONCLUSION: The effects of using a DA depend on the amount of the remaining residual maxilla. Our study showed that if the remaining residual maxilla is less than a quarter (Group 3), it is difficult to have confidence in the effectiveness of the DA to improve masticatory function. On the other hand, the use a DA showed improved speech intelligibility test values in all groups.