Dynamics of Atmospheric Pressure under the Complete Denture in Maxillary Edentulous Patients

The purpose of this study is to measure the dynamics of the atmospheric pressure under the maxillary complete dentures in the edentulous patients and to elucidate the relationship between the atmospheric pressure and the stability of the denture.The dynamics of atmospheric pressure, which induced during the prescribed functions of the mouth, were recorded as the waves.The following results were obtained.1. In the process of the seating of the denture, the atmospheric pressure under the denture (APD) became higher than the external one.2. APD increased and decreased alternately during tapping movements.3. APD decreased during the light opening movements and decreased more during the following wide opening movements.4. APD became lower than the external one during the tapping or the opening movements.5. APD decreased gradually as repeating increase and decrease every biting movement, during mastication of the test food (peanuts, carrots, kamaboko).6. APD equaled to the external one when the denture was separated completely from the tissue.7. The dynamics of atmospheric pressure under the maxillary complete denture seems to be influenced by oral conditions, denture designs and foods properties, and to be useful as an index of the denture stability.