The Effect Of 3 Different Types Of Denture Adhesives On The Efficiency Of Well-Fitted Complete Dentures In Patients With Different Arch Forms – An In Vivo Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three commercially available denture adhesives—Fixon powder, Fittydent cream, and Polygrip strips—on the functional performance and retention of well-fitted complete dentures in patients with varying maxillary arch forms (square, ovoid, and tapered). The primary metric was bite force until denture dislodgement (BFDD), complemented by subjective assessments of comfort, speech, mastication, and clinician evaluation.

Materials and Methods: A total of 30 edentulous patients were divided into three groups based on their arch form. Over a four-week period, denture performance was evaluated under four conditions: without adhesive (Week 1), with Fixon powder (Week 2), with Fittydent cream (Week 3), and with Polygrip strips (Week 4). Bite force was recorded using a strain gauge bite force transducer. Patient satisfaction and clinician evaluations were recorded at each interval. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA.

Results: All three adhesives improved denture retention compared to baseline (no adhesive). Fittydent cream demonstrated superior retention and patient satisfaction across all arch forms, with the highest BFDD values recorded in square arch patients. Ovoid and tapered arch forms also showed notable improvement, though the tapered group had comparatively lower scores due to limited surface contact area.

Conclusion: Denture adhesives significantly enhance the functional performance of complete dentures, with Fittydent cream offering the most promising results. Arch form plays a crucial role in baseline denture performance, and adhesives can compensate for anatomical limitations, particularly in tapered arches.