The effectiveness of prevention of occlusal disorders in dental caries

Abstract

Introduction. Under the concept of occlusion, we understand the harmony between the dental arches, TMJ and neuromuscular system (masticatory muscles). Occlusal contacts play an important role in ensuring physiological occlusion. Dental caries is one of the main reason of occlusal disorders. In economically developed countries, it affects 95-98% of the population. Carious process causes changes in location of occlusal contact points, which is the reason of atypical mandibular movements. As a consequence, tooth overload and occlusal trauma are observed. Aim. The purpose of our research is a prevention of occlusal disorders by the method of composite restoration of affected occlusal surfaces considering functional anatomy with father checking of occlusal relationships with the help of computerized system T-Scan Novus. Material and methods. For this we have chosen 90 first-/second-/third-year students of Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University at the age of 17-20, who were the citizens of the regions with low level of fluoride. Half of them had carious lesion of first molars, another 45 students had first molars, which were restored without principle of occlusion. Treatment was carried out by methods of direct and indirect restoration of occlusal surfaces taking into account the functional anatomy. Results. The article contains the results of redistribution of occlusal contact in first molar with carious lesion (decrease in the occlusal load on the affected tooth, occurrence of overload on the tooth with larger area of chewing (occlusal surface) and restoration of first molar without taking into account the principles of functional anatomy (occurrence of occlusal interferences directly on it). Further restorations of chewing surfaces of first molars considering the occlusal determinants led to an even distribution of the occlusal force on the molars. Conclusions. The obtained results of our study demonstrate the effectiveness of created treatment and prevention complex.