title: Effect of occlusal splint therapy on maximum bite force in individuals with moderate to severe attrition of teeth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the pilot study was to determine the effect of restoring lost occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) due to attrition on maximum bite force in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 124 subjects in age range of 25-40 years, with moderate to severe attrition, having full complement of teeth were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. After consent, occlusal vertical dimension was assessed by employing mechanical and physiological methods in the experimental group and a maxillary canine guided hard splint was fabricated for each subjects fulfilling inclusion criteria and with positive consent (78). Bite force in experimental group was measured before, immediately after delivery of splint and subsequently at an interval of four, eight, and twelve weeks. Due loss during follow up, only 50 subjects could be available for bite force recording till 12 weeks. Bite force of age, gender, height and weight matched controls with no signs of attrition was also measured for comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bite force of the experimental group was found to be significantly less than the matched controls (P=0.000) initially. After delivery of splint, bite force values increased progressively till twelve weeks. However comparison of bite force values of experimental group with control group showed no significant difference at end of eight (P=0.008) and twelve weeks (P=0.162).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded that maximum bite force increases with restoration of lost vertical using splint therapy. A time period of 8-12 weeks is required to restore the maximum bite force value approximately similar to matched controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Centre for Dental Education & Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. jainveena1@gmail.com
authors.forename: Veena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Vijay Prakash
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Mathur
authors.forename: Kumar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abhishek
authors.forename: Mohit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kothari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001732:Bite Force; D006801:Humans; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019217:Tooth Attrition / Q000503:physiopathology*