Chewing patterns before and after treatment with complete maxillary and bilateral distal-extension mandibular removable partial dentures

Abstract

Prosthodontic rehabilitation with complete maxillary dentures and mandibular bilateral distal-extension removable partial dentures did not change the general masticatory function to any great extent. However, the velocity of the mandible was increased, especially in the opening phase, and so was the mandibular displacement. The latter seems to be the cause for a long closing duration. The chewing cycle became more even and teardrop shaped, and the prosthodontic rehabilitation also resulted in a decrease of the number of chewing cycles. The Selspot system offers a possibility to study adaptation to prosthodontic treatment objectively by measurements of time and movement.