TASTE PERCEPTION IN PATIENTS WEARING UPPER REMOVABLE ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES WITH POSTERIOR BITE PLANES

Abstract

Objective: To compare the recognition threshold of four taste sensations in patients wearing upper removable orthodontic appliances with posterior bite planes before and after insertion. Methods: Eighteen orthodontic patients (12 males and 6 females aged 10.89 ± 1.57 years old) who treatment planned to receive upper removable orthodontic appliances with posterior bite planes were recruited for the study. The recognition threshold for tasting salty, sweet, bitter and sour was measured using a Modified Harris–Kalmus test. The tests were conducted on three different occasions: T0 – one month before appliance insertion, T1 – on the day of appliance insertion, T2 – one month after appliance insertion. The Friedman test was used to statistically compare the recognition thresholds between different testing times and tastes. A 95% confidence level was applied for all statistical analyses. Results: The patients’ taste recognition threshold increased immediately after insertion of the appliances (T1) for all the tastes except for sweet and decreased at T2 compared to T1, however the differences were not statistically significant. When investigating the threshold changes among different tastes at specific times, the results showed no significant differences. Conclusion: Short-term treatment with upper removable orthodontic appliances with posterior bite planes does not affect the taste recognition threshold in four taste sensations.