A case of improvement of esthetic and masticatory disorders using a virtual articulator

Abstract

Patient: The patient was a 78-year-old female who visited our hospital with complaints of masticatory disturbance due to ill-fitting dentures and esthetic issues involving her frontal maxillary teeth. An irregular occlusal plane due to tooth elongation, a dental prosthesis with an unsuitable shape in the maxillary incisors, and a lower denture with insufficient retention and support were observed. After adjusting her occlusal plane using a virtual articulator, fixed prostheses involving dental implants and overdenture were applied to her maxilla and mandible, respectively.

Discussion: The virtual articulator is a valuable technique for efficiently and accurately conducting prosthetic procedures, from occlusal examination to the fabrication of provisional restorations and final prostheses that reflect biological information obtained from provisional restorations.

Conclusion: The virtual articulator made it possible to provide esthetic dental prostheses harmonized with her function.