EFFECT OF OCCLUSAL PLANE ADJUSTMENT IN SINGLE DENTURE WEARERS OF THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURES ON THE BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Twenty patients were selected for this study. Patients had fully edentulous maxillary ridge and a full set of natural mandibular teeth. Patients were divided into two equal groups. Patients of Group I received maxillary single dentures without adjustment ofthe occlusal plane of the opposing natural mandibular teeth, while patients of group II, received maxillary single dentures after occlusal plane adjustment of the opposing natural mandibular teeth. For each patient, bone density ofthe maxillary and mandibular jaw, bone height of the maxillary jaw and pocket depth of the mandibular teeth were recorded. . Follow up was carried out at denture delivery, three, six, nine and twelve months after denture delivery. From this study, it was found that: 1. Bone density of the upper jaw was increased in both group I and group II but greater increase was in group II than group I. However, the molar area had greater increase in density than anterior, premolar and molar areas. 2. Bone density of the lower jaw was increased in both group I and group II but greater increase was in group II than group I. However, the molars had greater increase in density than the premolars. 3. Bone height of the upper jaw was decreased in both group I and group II, but greater decrease was in group I than group II.