2019 Volume 53 Issue 1 Pages 103-107
We attempted to clarify the elements of and the degree of smell stimulation caused by dental materials using pupillary reaction as an index. We measured the pupillary reactions in 6 subjects caused by smell stimulation of 6 types of denture materials. Organic solvents contained in the denture materials were perceived as unpleasant smells. The sympathetic nerve was stimulated by all denture materials that caused the pupils to dilate. The smell of self‐curing resin stimulated the sympathetic nerve more strongly than the other materials. On the other hand, stimulation caused by the soft denture liner was significantly weaker. We concluded that sensory stimulation through the trigeminal nerve and olfactory stimulation from olfactory cells could not be separated out. However, the autonomic responses after projection to the brain could be analyzed, and stimulations by the smell of denture materials in patients could be evaluated objectively and quantitatively. (J Osaka Dent Univ 2019; 53: 103‐107)
