No abstract

A method for quantifying the comminution of an artificial test food (Optosil) was evaluated with respect to its suitability for measurements of masticatory performance in complete-denture wearers. Reference was made to subjects with natural dentitions. The description of particle size distributions generated by complete-denture wearers by a Rosin-Rammler equation was subject to limitations, due to the presence of large proportions of almost-intact particles, which had hardly been damaged or broken during chewing. This finding might be explained by: (i) the relatively high fracture strength of Optosil as compared with natural foods; and (ii) the limitations of complete-denture wearers in exerting bite forces. The particle size distributions obtained after repeated measurements and described by linear interpolation of data points were reproducible. In comparison with young adults with natural dentitions, the denture-wearers needed approximately seven times more chewing strokes to achieve an equivalent reduction in particle size.

No abstract

The stress distribution in an edentulous mandible provided with two implants in the interforaminal region was calculated by means of three different finite element models. The implants were connected with a bar or remained solitary. The first model was a three-dimensional representation of the entire mandible, the second model of the interforaminal region of this same mandible, whilst the third model was a two-dimensional representation of the interforaminal region. The differences in stress distribution around the connected implants and the solitary implants between these three models were analysed. It can be concluded that for a parameter study the stress distribution around the dental implants following from a three-dimensional finite element model of only the interforaminal region of an edentulous mandible can be used. For such studies therefore, benefit can be gained from the advantages of reduced modelling and calculation time.

Taurodontism and a reduced tooth length are reported to occur in patients with oligondontia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of these factors in Dutch patients with oligodontia. Panoramic radiographs of 117 patients with oligodontia and 91 controls were collected. Taurodontism of the mandibular first molars was recorded and the length of cuspids, bicuspids and first molars of the mandible were measured. In patients with oligodontia 28.9% showed taurodontism of one or two mandibular first molars. The prevalence of taurodontism in normal Dutch subjects was 9.9%. No significant differences were found between the two sexes in both groups. Neither was there a significant difference in the unilateral and bilateral occurrence of taurodontism. The present findings supported the hypothesis that taurodontism may be the result of an ectodermal defect and a manifestation of developmental instability in patients with oligodontia. The length of mandibular cuspids and first molars in females were significantly reduced. In males only the lower right first molar was significantly reduced. The reduced length of the teeth may also be the result of a defect in ectodermal cells. Both taurodontism and a reduced length are of importance considering dental therapy.