An individual approach to re-prosthetics of patients with complete edentia
Purpose. Assessment of dysfunctions and mandibular dislodgements in elderly completely edentulous patients during re-prosthetics for their relevant correction. Materials and methods. Eighty-eight patients aged 60-79 years with complete edentia who referred for re-prosthetics were enrolled in the study. Using the author's anthropometric method, we studied mandibular dislodgements within 3D surfaces, functional temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. A short Hamburg test as well as computerized tomography was applied according to indications. The current prostheses were clinically evaluated. Results. TMJ dysfunctions depending on a mandibular dislodgement rate were identified among the subjects examined who referred for re-prosthetics. The most frequent dysfunctions were noted with lateral dislodgements and with lateral mandibular dislodgements combined with a decreased height of the lower facial part that had not been restored in previously manufactured prostheses. Conclusion. The results obtained reliably confirm the need for an individual approach to re-prosthetics of elderly patients with complete edentia. Careful examination with the identification of TMJ dysfunction signs, mandibular dislodgement position within 3D surfaces, preliminary preparation for the alignment of the mandibular position with a restructure of the myotatic reflex before the final replacement is imperative.