Irreversible hydrocolloid as a test food in complete denture wearers.

The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of irreversible hydrocolloid impression material (alginate) as a test food to measure the chewing performance of complete denture wearers. Twenty edentulous subjects participated, 11 of whom were re-tested after new dentures were provided. A gravimetric sieving method was used. Theparticle size distribution was measured after 10 chewing strokes and again after 20 chewing strokes. It is concluded that alginate pellets are suitable as test food for edentulous subjects, 20 chewing strokes are appropriate and an additional mesh size greater than 2 mm should also be used