title: A Clinical Study to Examine the Effect of Complete Denture on Head Posture/Craniovertical Angle.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Edentulous patients show some significant changes in ridge relationship caused by resorption of alveolar ridge. The changes are characterized by an upward rotation of mandible, increase in mandibular prognathism that ultimately results in change of natural head posture.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This clinical study was planned to know the effect of complete denture on head posture in different age groups of Indian completely edentulous population, after placement of complete denture at various time intervals.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of completely edentulous patients without previous experience of the dentures. They were divided into 2 age groups: Group A (45-60) and Group B (61-75). During placement of complete denture craniovertical angle was measured with the help of custom made ruler protector device. Readings were taken before denture placement, immediately after denture placement, 30 minutes, 24 hours and 30 days after dentures placement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of this study indicated that in most of the patients (90%) despite their age, change in head posture (extension) occurred immediately after the denture placement. Thereafter reading remains same for measurement at 30 minutes and 24 hours of denture placement. However after 30 days, observation revealed that all the patients showed reduced craniovertical angle (flexion). Even though the values of craniovertical angle remain higher than its baseline in both groups, significant changes were noticed only in Group A.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings revealed that head posture was significantly altered by the placement of dentures in completely edentulous patients. Within the time interval of 30 minutes and 24 hours extension of head posture remained constant with slight variation. Although after 30 days, changes remained significant for group 'A', but no significant changes were observed in the subjects of group 'B'.
authors.affiliation: Reader, Peoples College of Dental Sciences & RC , Bhopal, India .
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khare
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Prosthodontics, Bapuji Dental College & Hospital , Davangere, India .
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Nandeeshwar
authors.affiliation: Professor Head, Department of Prosthodontics, Rama Dental College & Hospital , Kanpur, India .
authors.forename: Rajashekar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sangur
authors.affiliation: Reader, Subharti Dental College , Meerut, India .
authors.forename: Sumit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Makkar
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Peoples Dental Academy , Bhopal, India .
authors.forename: Pooja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khare
authors.affiliation: Professor, People's Dental Academy , Bhopal, India .
authors.forename: Rajkiran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chitumalla
authors.affiliation: Private Practioner.
authors.forename: Renuka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prasad
keywords: Completely edentulous; Extension; Flexion; Head position; Occlusion plane