Improvement of masticatory disturbance by correcting the horizontal mandibular position in an edentulous patient

Abstract

Patient: The patient was a 73-year-old totally edentulous woman who complained of residual mucous membrane pain during mastication. Further examination indicated that masticatory disturbance had been caused by a dysfunctional horizontal maxillomandibular position. Masticatory disturbance was improved by fabricating new complete dentures with adequate horizontal maxillomandibular position.

Discussion: The horizontal maxillomandibular position of the initial dentures was improperly set. As a result, these dentures were not stable during mastication, resulting in masticatory disturbance. It was considered that masticatory disturbance was improved by established new complete dentures with adequate horizontal maxillomandibular position.

Conclusion: In the present clinical case, the inadequate horizontal maxillomandibular position caused the masticatory disturbance and gothic arch tracing was useful for fabricating new dentures to confirm the horizontal maxillomandibular position.