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AmJCaseRep

Assessment of mandibular movements in edentulous patients after prosthetic rehabilitation. Mandibular movements in edentulous patients

Maciej Split, Maciej Romanowicz, Agnieszka Homa, Marcin Kowalski, Wojciech Split

Med Sci Tech 2006; 47(4): RA265-268

ID: 881527

Available online:

Published: 2006-03-24


Introduction: Complete loss of teeth causes impairment of mandibular movements. Prosthodontic treatment should restore the balance of the stomatognathic system. The aim of the study is to asses smandibular movements inedentulous patients after prosthodontic rehabilitation. Material and methods: Thirty-threeedentulous patients using complete dentures were studied. Control group consisted of 48 edentulous subjects who had never undergone any prosthetic treatment. Mandibular movements in the horizontal plane were recorded using the Gerber Condylator. The qualitative and quantitative assessment of the Gothic arch tracings was performed. The obtained results were statistically analyzed. Results: In all prosthodontically treated patients, mandibular movements in the horizontal plane were maintained, whilst in the control group, protrusive movements were absent in 10% and lateral movements in 23% of subjects. All treated patients presented multilinear tracings of protrusive movements. The range of protrusion was mostly within 11 to 15 mm (64%). The lateral movements were restricted in more than 75% of the treated patients ranging from 3 to 10 mm. Small angle values of the Gothic arch tracings were found in almost 2/3 of patients during the lateral movement to the left and innearly half of patients during lateral movement to the right. Lateral movements from the protrusive habitual position of the mandible were present in ¾ of the studied cases. Conclusions: In edentulous patients treated prosthodontically, lateral mandibular movements are impaired as a consequence of the weakened force of lateral pterygoids. To restore the normal function of lateral pterygoids, exercises of efficiency should be recommended.(Clin. Exp. Med. Lett. 2006; 47(4):265-268)

Keywords: mandibular movements, edentulous patients, Prosthodontic treatment



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