Swallow thresholds using dentures made on different types of articulator

Summary The purpose of this study was to determine whether edentate subjects achieved different performance when using dentures constructed on different articulators. A cross-over experimental design was employed to evaluate these swallow thresholds using complete dentures constructed on the hinge and free plane articulators. Seven subjects completed the study. Swallow threshold tests were performed 3 months after the insertion of dentures. The overall particle size distribution achieved with the dentures constructed on free plane articulators was significantly better at the end of the 3-month period (P < 0·01 to P < 0·0001), but significantly more strokes were used to achieve this success rate (P < 0·04). A questionnaire revealed that the subjects had a preference for the denture constructed on the free plane articulator. It is concluded that patients performed better with dentures constructed on the free plane articulator.