Electrognathographic evaluations of rehabilitated edentulous patients

Abstract

This study investigated, through computerized electrognathographic evaluations (K6-I Diagnostic System, Myotronics-Noromed Inc., Tukwila, USA), the mandibular movement pattern of 16 patients rehabilitated with complete dentures presenting no symptoms of stomatognathic functional alterations. The patients were instructed to wear an intra-oral appliance for occlusal plane coverage over their usual superior denture and were then rehabilitated with new dentures preserving a free-way space of 3 mm. After sixty days, the occlusal vertical dimension was increased and the modified inferior dentures were used for another 60 days. The obtained results were submitted to the Tukey Test and to the Friedman test, depending on which variable was under consideration, both at a significance level of 5%. The data revealed a significant decrease in free-way space when the first and the last evaluations were compared. No significant differences were found during opening and closing. It was concluded that the presence of a free-way space at the end of the treatment confirms the importance of its existence for maintaining the balance of the masticatory system, assuming the occurrence of a postural repositioning.

Analysis of Changes in Bilateral Masseter and Anterior Temporalis Muscle Efficiency in Complete Denture Wearers. –An Emg Study.

“…When teeth are lost, a change occurs in the mandibular posture, the speech pattern, esthetics, and deglutition as well as in the individual's social, emotional and psychological behavior. Along with this, some age related changes, such as deterioration in the fast and slow-twitch fibers of the striated muscles, results in impaired muscle force [5]. Age and muscular fatigue affect the function of 2678 the masticatory system and this is frequently accompanied by tooth loss, prosthetic rehabilitation, and, also by the development of local and systemic circumstances that may greatly influence this physiological process and reduce the masticatory ability of elderly individuals.…”

“…This rule is applicable to almost all superficial muscles. If the needle is correctly positioned this maneuver should easily produce crisp action potentials [5].…”

Reestablishment of the condyle-fossa and maxillomandibular relationships using a flat occlusal plane splint and implant-supported denture: case report with a 2-year follow-up

“…Casselli et al 1 assessed the freeway space (FS) in edentulous patients after the placement of bimaxillary complete dentures and found that after 60 days, the FS had increased by 1.18 mm. The authors suggested that this occurred because of the adaptive ability of the muscles: as their volume and length changes in response to stimulation, their density also changes, associated with a self-protective mechanism of the masseter muscle 23 .…”

“…can no longer be considered isolated elements because they are part of a system that decisively influences many physiological acts 1 .…”

“…An insightful rehabilitation of edentulous patients involves essential procedures, such as: correct orientation of the occlusal plane, determination of the vertical dimension of occlusion, and a stable and healthy maxillomandibular relationship [1][2] . The nonobservance of these aspects can result in oral rehabilitation failure.…”