PURPOSE: to check mastication characteristics in individuals using removable dental prosthesis, analyzing probable interference factors associated to functional mastication. METHODS: fifty-three individuals of both genders, between 42 and 67 year old, were divided in two groups: thirty-two individuals, users of total stable prosthesis dentures and/or partially stable removable prosthesis (G1); and twenty-one individuals with natural dentition (G2). the following exclusion criteria were used: neurological or cognitive deficiency, dental facial deformities, temporomandibular disorders and any mouth injuries which could interfere in mastication. Evaluation was done with salt bread, using habitual mastication. The analyses focused on: oral structures and muscle characteristics; type of cutting, maintenance of labial sealing; length of mastication time, number of masticatory cycles, and type of mastication: uni or bilateral, considering unilateral predominance in more than 66% of the cycles on just one particular side. RESULTS: alterations were noted as for the characteristics of the masseter muscle and type of food cutting for G1, with significant statistical differences when compared to G2. All other orofacial structures: lips, tongue, cheeks, mentual, and position of lips during mastication proved to be normal for both groups. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding jaw movements; type, time, and number of masticatory cycles and deglutition characterization. CONCLUSION: mastication in removable prosthesis users is characterized by alterations in the form of cutting food, undefined type of mastication, and satisfactory lips posture. The average time and the number of masticatory cycles are similar to those obtained for individuals with natural dentitions.
Dental Prosthesis; Denture; Partial; Removable; Mastication
