No abstract

It is generally assumed that dentition has ceased to be a predominant selection factor in the process of human evolution. With differentiation and reintegration of the human species, gross differences in the morphology and physiology of the stomatognathic system have become apparent. Variability and adaptation of this system have proven that deviations from what may be considered ideal are not pathologic but may, in fact, prove to be a range of normality in this general pattern of evolution. The treatment of patients according to inflexible postulates may be detrimental to the individual patient and the concept of a variable and patient-specific optimal dentition should be considered, especially in the context of the shortened dental arch.

Few U.S. adults today experience life without permanent anterior teeth and know little about how an incomplete anterior dentition affects adult well-being. Sudanese refugees, who had resettled in the U.S. and who had six mandibular anterior teeth ritually extracted during youth, provided an opportunity to examine the significance of the effect of this partial edentulism. The authors interviewed five adult refugees whose anterior dentition was restored using dental implants. Factors considered before and after restoration included incisal ability, food item recognition, food consumption patterns and related social factors. Before restoration of the anterior dentition, participants could not incise typical foods eaten in the U.S. and expressed embarrassment about their dental status, which limited smiling, speaking and social interaction. This case series offers insight into the bio-cultural importance of the anterior dentition for all populations living with a visible gap in the lower jaw.

The stability of mandibular complete dentures may be improved by reducing the transverse forces on the denture base through linear (noninterceptive) occlusion, selecting an occlusal plane that reduces horizontal vectors of force at occlusal contact, and utilizing a central bearing intraoral gothic arch tracing to record jaw relations. This article is intended to acquaint the reader with one technique for providing stable complete denture prostheses using the aforementioned materials, devices, and procedures.

A technique is presented for using light-cured composite resin to create desirable contours on abutment teeth for the retention and support of removable partial dentures. The desired tooth shape is created on a diagnostic cast, captured in a clear temporary splint material, and formed in resin on the abutment teeth with the splint acting as a matrix.