2026 Volume 18 Issue 3 Pages 319-322
Patient: A 72-year-old woman presented with the complaint of esthetic and masticatory dysfunction. The diagnosis was determined to be esthetic dissatisfaction and masticatory disorder due to reduction of occlusal vertical dimension and posterior tooth loss. Prosthodontic treatment involving increasing the occlusal vertical dimension was performed using fixed restorations and removable partial dentures.
Discussion: The final prosthesis was designed based on diagnostic waxing, and the intermaxillary relationship was explored using provisional restorations. After confirming satisfactory occlusion or esthetics, the morphology of the provisional restorations was transferred to the definitive prosthesis. As a result, high patient satisfaction was achieved in both masticatory function and esthetics.
Conclusion: Occlusal reconstruction by increasing the occlusal vertical dimension was performed in this case of esthetic and masticatory impairment due to decreased occlusal vertical dimension and posterior tooth loss, resulting in favorable outcomes for the chief complaints of esthetics and mastication.
