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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between patient
satisfaction with complete dentures and parameters of denture quality, oral condition,
and flow rate of the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands. Materials and
Methods: The parameters were evaluated on 50 denture wearers using semiquantitative
scales and a recently described submandibular/sublingual saliva collector. Results: Most
patients had a medication-induced reduced salivary flow rate (mean 0.024 mL/min/gland;
SD 0.040). Submandibular/sublingual salivary flow rate correlated statistically with six
denture satisfaction parameters: maxillary denture retention and comfort, mandibular
denture retention and comfort, abilities of chewing, and speech. Residual alveolar ridge
resilience, maxillary ridge shape, and denture quality did not significantly correlate with
denture satisfaction. Characteristics of musculature correlated significantly only with
subjective maxillary denture retention, and mandibular ridge shape correlated with
comfort. Conclusion: Submandibular/sublingual salivary flow rate is an important factor
in denture satisfaction. The retention of the maxillary denture was correlated to the oral
musculature characteristics, and the mandibular denture comfort was correlated to the
mandibular ridge shape. Denture satisfaction was not affected by other anatomic or
denture quality–related parameters. Int J Prosthodont 2003;16;45–48.
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