Effect of Bite with and without Dentures on Soleus H-Reflex in the Elderly

We reported previously on the necessity of the elderly wearing dentures while they take physical therapy, because of improved maximum muscular strength and agility under biting with dentures compared to without dentures. We assumed that this phenomenon resulted from improved strength of the masseter muscle and occlusal force brought about by wearing dentures. In order to corroborate our assumption, we selected eight elderly subjects (age：71-98; mean age：83.9) and measured the soleus H (Hoffman wave) reflex as an index of excitability in the spinal cord motor neuron pool, activity of the masseter muscle, and occlusal force of incisors under biting with and without dentures, so as to examine changes in the measured parameters. The results were that the values measured with dentures were significantly greater than those without dentures. We consider that these data support our assumption.