Complete denture rehabilitation of edentulous patient with severe mandibular tori using piezography : A case report

Abstract

The presence of severe mandibular tori may render difficulty in the insertion and removal of denture. Therefore, removal of mandibular tori can be planned ahead if denture construction is considered. Piezography was introduced by Dr. Klein in 1974 to represent the neutral zone obtained through pronunciation, unlike the conventional method of acquiring the neutral zone using swallowing and masticatory movements. Utilization of pronunciation, it predominantly employs the horizontal forces of the muscles. Acquiring the neutral zone by pronunciation utilizing the horizontal movement of muscles has the advantage in denture stability which is affected by lateral forces. This allows for a harmonious denture design without interfering normal muscle movement. In edentulous patients, the neutral zone is influenced by bony prominences, hence the removal of such prominences may necessary during denture fabrication. The denture teeth arrangement using the neutral zone differs from the conventional denture arrangement in that it alters the actual range of motion of the tongue. Therefore, by fabricating dentures through piezography, which utilizes the horizontal forces of muscles, more stable dentures were produced, and this is being reported.