Effect of masticatory positioning on long-term occlusal stability in patients who underwent full mouth rehabilitation: a 10-year follow-up
- Author:
Heungku KWAK
1
;
Eunsong KWAK
;
Ayeon SOHN
;
Gyeongje LEE
;
Mee-Kyoung SON
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From: Oral Biology Research 2025;49(1):5-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: This study evaluated the long-term stability and efficacy of occlusion achieved by setting a normalized chewing position as the therapeutic position in patients with abnormal chewing positions due to tooth loss or malocclusion. Furthermore, the study monitored the recovery rate of the stomatognathic system. Sixteen patients undergoing oral functional rehabilitation participated in the study, utilizing an intraoral Gothic arch tracer to normalize abnormal chewing positions and designate the apex of the resultant chewing patterns as the therapeutic position. The first set of data was gathered during occlusal reconstruction at the point when a therapeutic position was necessary, and the second set was collected approximately 10 years later under the same conditions. Four mandibular movements—chewing movements for hard food (CM-H), chewing movements for soft food (CM-S), border movement (BM), and maximum intercuspation position (MICP)—were compared to assess the long-term stability between the chewing position and occlusion and the recovery rate of the stomatognathic system. The findings showed a 63% concordance between CM-H and MICP, confirming the long-term stability of both the chewing position and occlusion. Furthermore, the concordance between CM-H and CM-S increased by 13%, whereas the alignment between the chewing position and BM increased by 25%. In summary, the concordance across all four movements improved by 19%, demonstrating increased long-term recovery rate of the stomatognathic system. These findings provide clinical evidence that occlusal reconstruction centered on the chewing position offers long-term stability and recovery. By establishing an efficient occlusion that harmonized with the chewing patterns, this approach compensates for age-related declines in chewing function and helps maintain the stomatognathic system health.
