Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new gel-type denture adhesive on denture retention and ease of removal from the oral mucosa after use.
Methods: Eleven complete denture wearing patients (3 males and 8 females; age range, 58-84 years; mean age, 73.7 years) with compromised maxillary denture-bearing tissues were included in the study. Denture retention and ease of removal were evaluated for a new gel-type denture adhesive. The results were compared with those obtained with and without a cream-type denture adhesive. Retention was evaluated by measuring unilateral bite force until these dentures were dislodged on the balancing side. Ease of removal was evaluated by scoring the remaining area of colored denture adhesives on the oral mucosa. Denture retention and ease of removal were also subjectively evaluated using questionnaires.
Results: A significant improvement in objective denture retention was observed when either the cream-type or gel-type denture adhesive was used (p<0.05). A significant difference in objective ease of removal was observed between cream-type and gel-type denture adhesive when subjects had rinsed their mouth once (p<0.05). Subjective assessment showed no significant differences in either retention or ease of removal between gel-type and cream-type denture adhesives (p=0.26, 0.24).
Conclusions: Objectively, denture retention was higher with the cream-type than with the gel-type denture adhesive. Removal of the gel-type denture adhesive from the oral mucosa was easier than that of the cream-type. Subjectively, there were no differences in either retention or ease of removal.