INTRODUCTION: The restoration of function after surgery with mandibular reconstruction is of utmost importance. Mastication and deglutition are compromised if pre-operative dental occlusion is not reestablished. For this purpose, occlusal splints are fabricated pre-operatively. Various methods of occlusal splint fabrication are at hand. DESIGN: Surgical Instrumentation SETTING: Tertiary Academic Hospital OBJECTIVE: This paper presents a simple, quick and inexpensive way of fabricating an occlusal splint with the use of dental modeling compound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dental modeling compound is used pre-operatively to make an occlusal appliance. Occlusal splint fabricated with this method was used in 6 patients who underwent segmental mandibular resection with reconstruction for various pathologies. Post-operatively, patients were assessed in terms of occlusion, type of diet and pain on mastication. RESULTS: Out of the 6 patients, only 5 patients were available for evaluation. One patient suffered a myocardial infarction 3 days post-operation and subsequently died. The five patients had good mandibular-maxillary relation post-surgery. They were able to tolerate regular diet with no pain on mastication. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we have discussed a simple, quick and cost-effective way of fabricating an occlusal splint for use in mandibular reconstruction. (Author)
OCCLUSAL SPLINTS

No abstract available.
Occlusal Splints* ; Temporomandibular Joint*

PURPOSE: Fractures, occlusal adjustments, or marginal corrections after removing excess composite cements result in rough surfaces of all-ceramic FPDs. These have to be polished to prevent damage of the surrounding tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roughness of zirconia, silicate-ceramic, and composite after polish with different systems for intraoral use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each set of 50 plates was made of zirconia, silicate-ceramic, and composite. All plates were ground automatically and were divided into 15 groups according to the treatment. Groups Zgrit, Sgrit, and Cgrit received no further treatment. Groups Zlab and Slab received glaze-baking, and group Clab was polished with a polishing device. In the experimental groups Zv, Sv, Cv, Zk, Sk, Ck, Zb, Sb, and Cb, the specimens were polished with ceramic-polishing systems “v”, “k”, and “b” for intraoral use. Roughness was measured using profilometry. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA and Scheffé-procedure with the level of significance set at P=.05. RESULTS: All systems reduced the roughness of zirconia, but the differences from the controls Zgrit and Zlab were not statistically significant (P>.907). Roughness of silicate ceramic was reduced only in group Sv, but it did not differ significantly from both controls (P>.580). Groups Cv, Ck, and Cb had a significantly rougher surface than that of group Clab (P < .003). CONCLUSION: Ceramic materials can be polished with the tested systems. Polishing of interface areas between ceramic and composite material should be performed with polishing systems for zirconia first, followed by systems for veneering materials and for composite materials.
Ceramics ; Occlusal Adjustment ; Silicates

PURPOSE: Articulation paper mark size is widely accepted as an indicator of forceful tooth contacts. However, mark size is indicative of contact location and surface area only, and does not quantify occlusal force. The purpose of this study is to determine if a relationship exists between the size of paper marks and the percentage of force applied to the same tooth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty dentate female subjects intercuspated into articulation paper strips to mark occlusal contacts on their maxillary posterior teeth, followed by taking photographs. Then each subject made a multi-bite digital occlusal force percentage recording. The surface area of the largest and darkest articulation paper mark (n = 240 marks) in each quadrant (n = 60 quadrants) was calculated in photographic pixels, and compared with the force percentage present on the same tooth. RESULTS: Regression analysis shows a bi-variant fit of force % on tooth (P<.05). The correlation coefficient between the mark area and the percentage of force indicated a low positive correlation. The coefficient of determination showed a low causative relationship between mark area and force (r2 = 0.067). The largest paper mark in each quadrant was matched with the most forceful tooth in that same quadrant only 38.3% of time. Only 6 2/3% of mark surface area could be explained by applied occlusal force, while most of the mark area results from other factors unrelated to the applied occlusal force. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that size of articulation paper mark is an unreliable indicator of applied occlusal force, to guide treatment occlusal adjustments.
Bite Force ; Female ; Humans ; Occlusal Adjustment ; Tooth

PURPOSE: Articulation paper mark size is widely accepted as an indicator of forceful tooth contacts. However, mark size is indicative of contact location and surface area only, and does not quantify occlusal force. The purpose of this study is to determine if a relationship exists between the size of paper marks and the percentage of force applied to the same tooth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty dentate female subjects intercuspated into articulation paper strips to mark occlusal contacts on their maxillary posterior teeth, followed by taking photographs. Then each subject made a multi-bite digital occlusal force percentage recording. The surface area of the largest and darkest articulation paper mark (n = 240 marks) in each quadrant (n = 60 quadrants) was calculated in photographic pixels, and compared with the force percentage present on the same tooth. RESULTS: Regression analysis shows a bi-variant fit of force % on tooth (P<.05). The correlation coefficient between the mark area and the percentage of force indicated a low positive correlation. The coefficient of determination showed a low causative relationship between mark area and force (r2 = 0.067). The largest paper mark in each quadrant was matched with the most forceful tooth in that same quadrant only 38.3% of time. Only 6 2/3% of mark surface area could be explained by applied occlusal force, while most of the mark area results from other factors unrelated to the applied occlusal force. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that size of articulation paper mark is an unreliable indicator of applied occlusal force, to guide treatment occlusal adjustments.
Bite Force ; Female ; Humans ; Occlusal Adjustment ; Tooth

OBJECTIVETo study the effectiveness of sequential occlusal adjustment for kinetic food impaction.

METHODS36 patients who claiming food impaction with normal proximal contact were examined and analyzed about their occlusal relationship and configuration. Sequential occlusal adjustment was made to reduce pestle-mortar-like cusp, to create food escaping groove and to decrease mesial surface of the distal tooth cusp. One week, two weeks and six months later, the patients were reexamined and their oral conditions were evaluated.

RESULTSAn elimination of food impaction was claimed for 32 patients in one week appointment and all 36 patients in two-week appointment. Six months later, no patient reported food impaction.

CONCLUSIONThe use of sequential occlusal adjustment results in an effective elimination of some kind of kinetic food impaction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare three polishing systems on the surface roughness and phase transformation of monolithic zirconia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 disk shaped specimens (10 mm diameter, 3 mm thickness) were fabricated from monolithic zirconia blocks. 20 specimens were left as a control group and remaining specimens were grinded by diamond bur to simulate the occlusal adjustments. Grinded specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups: group G (no polishing), group M (Meisinger, zirconia polishing kit), group E (EVE Diacera, zirconia polishing kit), and group P (EVE Diapol, porcelain polishing kit). Surface roughness was measured with profilometer and surface topography was observed with SEM. XRD analysis was performed to investigate the phase transformation. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests at a significance level of P=.05. RESULTS: All polishing groups showed a smoother surface than group G. Among 3 polishing systems, group M and group E exhibited a smoother surface than the group P. However, no significant differences were observed between group M and group E (P>.05). Grinding and polishing did not cause phase transformations in zirconia specimens. CONCLUSION: Zirconia polishing systems created a smoother surface on zirconia than the porcelain polishing system. Phase transformation did not occur during the polishing procedure.
Dental Instruments ; Dental Porcelain ; Occlusal Adjustment

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of surface grinding and polishing procedures using high speed zirconia diamond burs with different grit sizes on the phase transformation and flexural strength of zirconia.
Dental Instruments ; Diamond ; In Vitro Techniques ; Occlusal Adjustment

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal adjustments on the surface roughness of yttria-tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) and wear of opposing artificial enamel.
Dental Enamel ; Dental Porcelain ; Mastication ; Occlusal Adjustment

Dental Occlusion ; Dental Occlusion, Traumatic ; therapy ; Dental Prosthesis ; Humans ; Occlusal Adjustment ; Occlusal Splints