Evaluation of newly developed devices for denture placement and removal in the dependent elderly

Objective: The purpose of this study was to subjectively evaluate the utility of newly developed denture placement and removal devices. Objective observations were also made to support the evidence. Materials and method: Twenty-one subjects were instructed to place and remove their dentures with and without the devices. We evaluated the device based on a questionnaire. Objective observations were based on a 2-D image analysis. We analysed three factors: the time, the area and the circumference required to insert and remove the dentures. Results: Image analysis showed that the effectiveness and ease with which the subject used the device significantly improved with practice. The questionnaire data showed that a majority of the subjects appreciated the device after the first and second time. While there was no significant decrease in time required to place and remove dentures even with the device, the area and circumference of the movement on 2-D images were significantly reduced. Conclusion: In this study, the utility of denture placement and removal devices was evaluated both subjectively and objectively. Our data reveal that the device is effective in the elderly. Further minor improvement in the device might be required to increase its effectiveness.