Electrognathographic evaluations of rehabilitated edentulous patients.
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.
Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, Brazil. hcasselli@yahoo.com
Henrique
H
Casselli
Alexandre Brait
AB
Landulpho
Wilkens Aurélio Buarque e
WA
Silva
Frederico Andrade e
FA
Silva
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003824:Denture, Complete; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000502:physiology*; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014716:Vertical Dimension