PURPOSE: To assess function by identifying changes in swallowing and masticatory performance in maxillary obturator prosthesis wearers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty subjects were recruited for the study, of which 20 were obturator wearers, 20 were completely dentulous and 20 had removable partial/complete dentures with similar Eichner's Index. Swallowing ability was evaluated with and without obturator using the "Water Drinking Test"; Masticatory performance was evaluated with the Sieve test; and maximum occlusal force was recorded with the help of a digital bite sensor. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 15.0 with a confidence level at 95%. RESULTS: Profile, behavior of drinking and time taken to drink were significantly improved (P<.001) in subjects after wearing obturator. Masticatory performance was not significantly different (P=.252) in obturator wearer when compared with dentulous or removable partial/complete denture wearer, but significantly (P<.001) high inter group difference in maximum occlusal force existed. Correlation between masticatory performance and maximum occlusal force was not significant (P=.124). CONCLUSION: Swallowing ability was significantly improved after wearing obturator but masticatory performance was not significantly different from those having similar occlusal support zone in their dentition.
Bite Force ; Deglutition* ; Dental Restoration Wear ; Dentition ; Dentures ; Drinking ; Mastication ; Prostheses and Implants ; Social Sciences

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis represents a rare neurological emergency of an endocrine disorder. It poses a diagnostic challenge to the clinicians, as it is an uncommon disorder and its clinical presentation is similar to the more common hypokalemic paralysis. Adding to the diagnostic dilemma is that most patients do not have prior history of thyroid disorder and only have subtle features of hyperthyroidism. Hence, the diagnosis can be easily missed without a high clinical index of suspicion. These patients usually present to the emergency department with acute flaccid paralysis and all physicians should be aware of this clinical entity. The disease can be life-threatening if early diagnosis and prompt therapy is not initiated. We report three interesting cases in which periodic paralysis was the initial manifestation of underlying Graves’ disease in two and occurred in the third case who was previously diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis due to non-adherence to drug therapy.
Hypokalemia ; Paralysis