title: Occlusion and craniomandibular function among patients treated with removable partial dentures.
abstract: Forty patients treated with removable partial dentures (RPDs) at the Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, were selected for this study. The type of occlusion, horizontal and vertical overlap, the slide between retruded contact position and intercuspal position, and the occlusal interferences were investigated as occlusal parameters. Helkimo's anamnestic and clinical indices were used to measure the craniomandibular function and the clinical index score was used to compare the differences between different groups. The RPD-generated occlusal interferences seemed to cause most harmful effects in point centric, interference free occlusions, when the damage was directed at the temporomandibular joint. These interferences were most frequently found in the retruded contact position and caused by the RPD teeth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics and Stomatognathic Physiology, University of Oulu, Institute of Dentistry, Finland.
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Mähönen
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Virtanen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*