Kinesiographic study of mandibular movements during functional adaptation to complete dentures

Cláudio Rodrigues Leles,Débora Barros Barbosa,Raphael Freitas De Souza,Marco Antonio Compagnoni

doi:10.1590/s1678-77572003000400007

Cláudio Rodrigues Leles, Débora Barros Barbosa + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-77572003000400007

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Abstract

After complete denture insertion, edentulous patients usually present transitory difficulties. This is one of the most critical stages of prosthetic treatment and it is strongly related to the prostheses acceptance. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential changes in the mandibular movement pattern related to insertion of the complete denture during the functional adaptation period. The kinesiograph instrument K6-I (Myotronics Research Inc., Seattle, WA) was used to evaluate eight edentulous patients that received conventional complete denture treatment. Recordings of opening and closure movement limits, movement velocity, postural rest position, chewing cycle and limits of eccentric movements were performed. Each patient was evaluated in four different stages: with the old dentures, immediately after insertion of the new dentures, and 30 days and 6 months after insertion of the dentures. The results showed that there were no remarkable changes in the mandibular motion patterns after insertion of the new dentures. It was suggested that the problems related to the process of utilization of new dentures are not strictly associated to the mandibular movement. Therefore, functional adaptation after denture insertion is not directly related to functional changes, but to the quality of the dentures and to individual features.

Highlights

Denture insertion is the summit of all clinical procedures of denture construction and is eagerly awaited by both patient and clinician[20]
The aim of the current study was to evaluate, by means of a kinesiographic instrument, the functional changes of mandibular movement parameters associated to insertion of new dentures, during different stages of adjustment of the patients to complete dentures
Satisfactory function and comfort are related to a balanced occlusion, correct vertical dimension and proper base extension[4]

Summary

Introduction

Denture insertion is the summit of all clinical procedures of denture construction and is eagerly awaited by both patient and clinician[20]. After denture insertion, a set of adaptive difficulties can emerge. Transitory problems like masticatory impairment, mandibular incoordination, excessive salivary flow and phonetic troubles are common, even if the denture is well planned and constructed[1]. Pain related to the denture-bearing tissues and faults in denture retention or stability are frequently observed, mainly due to occlusal imbalance, incorrect vertical dimension and occlusion, or improper contour of the denture base[8]. These factors may reduce the patient’s comfort and satisfaction and influence the wearing of complete dentures on a daily basis[4,19]. Fish[5] observed that these initial difficulties are caused by alterations in the tongue position relative to the oral mucosa, restriction of the space available for the tongue, load transmitted to the supporting tissues, changes in muscle proprioceptive impulses, and alteration of vertical facial height and mandibular rest position

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