The importance of occlusal balance in the control of complete dentures.
OBJECTIVE
The importance of occlusal balance to the control of complete dentures during function was assessed.


METHODS
The complete dentures of five patients who were having difficulty controlling their prostheses were accurately duplicated. The artificial teeth were replaced with occlusally balanced teeth. No other changes were made. Patients were asked to report their experiences with the new dentures after 1 week, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks.


RESULTS
By the end of 6 weeks, improvement in denture stability and eating comfort were reported by all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Improvements occurred when the occlusion was balanced, despite existing jaw relationship errors, fitting inaccuracies, and peripheral extension errors.
Dubojska
A M
AM
Department of Neurology and Oromandibular Dysfunction, Medical University, Lodz, Poland.
White
G E
GE
Pasiek
S
S
D003725:Dental Articulators; D003767:Dental Occlusion, Balanced; D003781:Denture Retention; D003824:Denture, Complete; D006801:Humans; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting