Changes of Masticatory Movement Characteristics After Prosthodontic Rehabilitation of Individuals With Extensive Tooth Wear

The masticatory cycles of 11 men (mean age 51.5 years) with ex tensive tooth wear were investigated before and after rehabilitation with fixed partial dentures. Parameters such as the tooth wear index (IA) and masticatory mandibular movement were recorded. Before treatment, the patients were also given a questionnaire related to possible background factors of importance to tooth wear. At baseline a mean score of 48.6 (range ) to 100) for the tooth wear index (IA) was found. The clinical recall examination 3 years after prosthodontic rehabilitation displayed obvious wear of restorative material for two patients, and, in another patient, one of the fixed partial dentures had to be remade because of fracture of abutment teeth. Following increased and mandibular movement velocity decreased. The mandibular closing angle, near to occlusal contact, became steeper after prosthodontic treatment, indicating a changed mandibular movement pattern.