A Study on Time-wise Changes after the Occlusal Adjustment of Complete Dentures

Abstract

The fit and stability of complete dentures on the alveolar ridges are good aftertheir manufacture. Over an extended period of using, however, it has been pointed out that complete dentures become reduced in their fit and stability proportionately to the passage of time, resulting in the functional disturbance connectedwith the mastication and pronuncition as well.Therefore, it is necessary that they should be subjec-ted to recall examination at regular intervals so that the adjustment of complete dentures and observation of the alveolar ridges may be made. On the basis of these previous findings, it is important clinically to grasp the time-wise changes in occlusal behavior, masticatory function and positional deviations of the jaw position. However, there has been no published reserch report on these items to date.In the present study, the author was concerned with use of the Dentatus-ARL type articulator for the purp ose of studying complete dentures provided with 33 degree anatomical artificial teeth in centric occlusion to learn chronological changes in occlusal contacts, occlusal contact areas and the movement of hinge pins at the intervals of immediately after delivering, 6 months and 12 months later. In conjunction with these efforts, masticatory effect was also examined by the sieve method as it has a close relationship with the masticatory function. Moreover, time-wise changes in the amount as wellas in the direction of movement of both the menton and complete dentures were measured and analyzed.