OBJECTIVETo evaluate the adoption of the condyle position of patients with extensive tooth wear during occlusal rehabilitation, and the correlation between increased vertical dimensions and the changes of joint spaces.

METHODSTwenty-seven patients (five from Beifang hospital, others from Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology) with extensive tooth wear were selected and received occlusal rehabilitation treatment. The radiographs of standard Schüllers position were taken before treatment (stage 1), 1 month following delivery of temporary restoration (stage 2), and 1 month following delivery of permanent restoration (stage 3).

RESULTSThe superior, anterior and posterior joint spaces were (3.24 ± 0.16), (2.06 ± 0.11), (1.89 ± 0.13) mm at stage 1; (3.61 ± 0.15), (1.94 ± 0.10), (2.52 ± 0.11) mm at stage 2; (3.49 ± 0.19), (1.93 ± 0.10), (2.40 ± 0.13) mm at stage 3. The posterior joint spaces at stage 2 and stage 3 were significantly larger than that at stage 1(P < 0.01). The superior spaces at stage 2 were significantly larger than that at stage 1 (P < 0.05). No correlations between the increased vertical dimensions and the changes of joint spaces were found in the three stages (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe condyle positions in the patients with extensive tooth wear changed after occlusal rehabilitation.