The effect of new complete dentures on mastication and dietary intake.

Masticatory efficiency, the subjective experience of masticatory performance, and dietary intake were measured for 43 subjects who were provided with new complete dentures. The subjects were tested on three occasions: with the old complete dentures, with the new complete dentures when free from symptoms, and with the new dentures about 4 months after insertion. Masticatory efficiency and the subjective experience of masticatory performance increased significantly when the subjects were provided with new dentures, but no changes were found in the dietary intake. With the new dentures the masticatory efficiency and the subjective experience of masticatory performance were correlated to each other.