Abstract
To maintain good oral conditions following prosthetic treatment, the prosthesis must be functionally harmonized with the stomatognathic system. Biting forces during functional movements apply stresses to the teeth, periodontal ligaments, mandible, and maxilla. They produce distortion in all of them. Therefore, during function, it is very important for the prosthesis to clear the physiological tooth displacement. The upper molar showed a displacement of about 100mm in a palatal and apical direction during clenching, or during the biting of articulating papers. The lower molar showed a displacement about 50mm in a lingual and apical direction during clenching, or during the biting of articulating papers.
The molar of the patient with alveolar bone resorption showed a different displacement path from that in the subjects with healthy molars.
Implants and antagonistic teeth showed different displacement paths from that of the normal tooth. Implants (lower molars) showed displacements of 37-44mm in both lingual and buccal directions during mastication. The antagonistic teeth (upper molars) showed displacements of about 100mm in the lingual direction during mastication.
If the tooth displacement path is different from the normal one, it causes any periodontal disease to worsen. Therefore, in this case, it is important to diagnose the condition of the periodontium and the degree of bone resorption accurately. After periodontal treatment, to maintain good oral conditions following prosthetic treatment, we have to provide a prosthesis with occlusal contacts that lead the tooth to a normal displacement path.
