Purpose：In this report we consider the making method of complete dentures, and must be refinement alveolar ridge lines of measuring interalveolar ridge lines. We think that have to easily new drawing method useful of dentistry’s undergraduate course and clinical dental medicine. We then attempt to establish a new drawing method of alveolar ridge lines for the making of complete dentures. Methods：In experiment 1, 10 subjects drew alveolar ridge lines for measuring interalveolar ridge lines to 5 maxillary/mandibular couple casts. We investigated the results and made a hypothesis for new method of alveolar ridge lines, as well as a drawing new method for alveolar ridge lines for making bite plates and arranging artificial teeth. In experiment 2, 10 subjects drew new alveolar ridge lines to the same casts, and we investigated the results. Conclusions：The new method of alveolar ridge lines can ① be nearer to denture’s tooth line, ② include most of alveolar crest ridge, ③ show fewer personal differences with drawn lines than alveolar ridge lines for measurement of interalveolar ridge lines, ④ be little influence of reduction in alveolar ridge.

View full abstract

Periodontal disease is considered as a lifestyle-related disease; various studies have been conducted and have suggested that diet and many nutrients are associated with the disease. In this study was investigated the efficacy of dietary supplement“ collagen and zinc jelly” during the treatment period; the randomized placebo controlled trial was conducted with 34 periodontal participants. The subjects were divided into the “collagen and zinc jelly” group (supplement group) and the placebo group randomly. Probing pocket depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were evaluated as periodontal clinical parameters at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks for all the subjects. As for the subjects with probing pockets 4mm or deeper at baseline, the mean PD of supplement group was 3.36 ± 1.34mm at 8 week, and it had a significantly decreased level compared with placebo group (3.69 ± 1.44mm, p< 0.05). Furthermore, the average score of BOP points in the supplement group was 7.79 points at 8 weeks, and 7.35 points at 12 weeks, they were significantly smaller than the placebo group (19.54 and 20.77, respectively, p<0.01)．These findings suggest a possibility that use of“ collagen and zinc jelly” supplement may prevent progression of periodontal disease.

View full abstract

In performing occlusal reconstruction in daily clinical practice, the muscle position is consistently checked (by tapping movements) throughout the course of treatment, that is, before, during and after the operation. However, there have been made few reports that have attempted to clarify the three-dimensional position of what is generally called “tapping point” (the muscle position of the mandibular identified by tapping movements). ). . We e therefore conducted a study on the tap-ping point using ARCUS digma II, a digital mandibular movement measuring device produced by KaVo. In addition, we compared between subjects with and without mandibular dysfunction. Twenty subjects without disorder were selected from a group of males and females in their 20’s to 40’s, and six subjects with the disorder, i.e., diagnosed as oro-mandibular disorder, from male and female patients in their 20’s to 50’s. Data was collected whilst subjects were made to perform light tapping occlusion (hereinafter called as tapping occlusion). As each subject performed the tapping occlusion five times, the intra-class correlation (ICC) of each and every subject was 0.999 and the above for both subject groups. Hence tapping occlusion proved highly reproducible. Convergence of the tapping points were observed (over many tapping movements) in both subject groups, no significant difference was observed in dispersion of tapping points between the two subject groups. These results suggest that the tapping occlusion is a useful and functional indicator for horizontal mandibular position taking.

View full abstract

Objective: This study was conducted with patients with implant treatment of 65 years and upward in order to evaluate impact of aging on their overall physical condition. Material and Method: This study covered patients with screw implant system, namely Physio Odontram Implant (POI) system which included three different types, such as one-stage procedure with two-piece implant (hereinafter referred to as a one-two implant), POI-EX (hereinafter referred to as EX implant), and a two-stage procedure with a three-piece implant (hereinafter referred to as a two-three implant). These implants were produced by Kyocera Medical Corporation. This study covered 165 subjects composed of 77 males and 88 females with an average age of 72.6 years old. Their average age at the time of operation was 63.2 years old. The total implants placed by 165 subjects were 666 pieces including 11 losses and 13 removals with the survival rate of 96.4％. 74 out of 165 subjects had diseases with a high incidence rate of hypertension and diabetes. Six more subjects developed diseases during the maintenance. Thus, the number of subjects with diseases increased from 74 to 80. The 666 implants included 293 one-two implants, 123 EX implants, and lastly 250 two-three implants. Results: The widths of fixtures were mostly 3.7mm and 4.2mm, and the lengths of fixtures was mostly 10mm for both types of one-two implants and two-three implants. In case of EX implant fixtures, the length was mostly 12mm. There were 323 cases of superstructures included 309 fixed (cement fixation) cases, ten removal (screw junction) cases, and four cases of removable dentures (overdentures). Discussion: In case of implant treatment for elderly patients, implant systems with minimum surgical stress should be selected, taking their mental and physical conditions into consideration. Systems with easily maintainable prostheses to changing mental and physical conditions of aging patients are recommended also.

View full abstract

The onset of dental caries and periodontal disease is caused by plaque formed of oral bacteria. We can prevent both of them by making appropriate plaque control routine practice. According to the national health and nutrition examination survey of 2010, 96％ of Japanese use a toothbrush, 20 ％ an interdental brush, and 12 ％ dental floss. With toothbrush, the interdental plaque removal rate is limited to 58％．Therefore, gingival inflammation often occurs from this part and then further develops into periodontal disease; hence, use of dental floss or interdental brush is strongly recommended. However, there are many patients who have not yet recognized the importance of improving self care by using additional devices to a toothbrush. Prevention of interdental caries and periodontal disease is possible by utilizing dental floss as an interdental cleaning tool. The present paper is to report a case in which our team gave great importance to plaque control in the high risk areas and achieved considerable improvement in oral health together with the patient by repeating oral hygiene instructions.

View full abstract

In a case where severe attrition is apparent in multiple teeth, it is probable that the jaw position is deviated from the original position. In such a case, dentists often waver between a treatment based on the intercuspal position and a treatment along with search for the stable condylar position. In the present case the bruxer patient with severely worn dentition was provided an implant treatment in accordance with the patient’s lifestyle and demand, after the condylar position was confirmed close enough to the stable position.

View full abstract

The mandibular second molars, due to their gutter shaped roots（ GSR） and a few other factors, tend to pose clinical challenges in cases of endodontic and periodontal problems. In fact dentists often waver between “tooth extraction and the preservation”. Discussed here is a case of a patient with systemic conditions which disallow surgical interventions; this report is to present difficulties and treatment precautions under such circumstances in the course of endodontic and periodontal care—in particular, diagnosis using CBCT data, root canal enlargement, and natural migration.

View full abstract

90 patients with complaints of jaw joint noises were examined and analyzed on the timing of clicking and the curve of clicking movements drawn by the jaw movement recorder. Accuracy of the jaw movement recorder and analyzer allows appropriate examinations and diagnoses of common jaw clicking symptoms, which lead to the successful treatment. In the present paper, based on the recordings of the jaw movements and the questionnaire on masticatory function, three types of clicks were conjectured; 61％ of the clicking as anterior disc displacement, 23％ as reducible anterior disc displacement, 10％ as posterior disc displacement, and 6％ as unknown. I present three cases, one from each clicking symptom type, where splint treatment based on the analysis of jaw movements proved effective and successfully eliminated the clicking noises.

View full abstract

The present paper discusses a case of a 75 year-old female patient with severe attrition and decreased bite level. The patient was treated with a treatment denture. The provisional restorations were adjusted continually, taking into considerations easier pronunciation, esthetics, and chewing function. Upon recovery of occlusal vertical dimension and mandibular position the final restorations were placed. Five and half years post-treatment, no significant problem is apparent, but I would like to re-evaluate adequacy of occlusal reconstruction and identify treatment precautions in the maintenance period.

View full abstract

A variety of semi-adjustable articulators are commercially available, and each and every articulator has different functions and limitations. In this paper, I would like to present a versatile and convenient system I developed by merging and customizing different systems, e.g., mounting a cast onto a different articulator, replacing other parts, etc. This customization has made it possible to apply different approaches of occlusal treatment at the time of diagnosis, chairside work, and laboratory work.

View full abstract

When a dentist diagnoses a patient with a chief complain of a jaw problem as occlusal dysfunction, they further have to make a differential diagnosis as to determine whether the cause is related to occlusion or not. In case they diagnose the case as occlusion-derived, they have to find a way to attune occlusion with the patient’s stomatognathic system. In the present report is discussed a patient with a chief complaint of a prolonged unconformity in the jaw and dysfunction. In this case the repeated chippage or break of prostheses was due to the overly raised bite level and the resultant malfunction of the stomatognathic system; hence, decreasing the occlusal vertical is needed. In contrary to the popularity of procedures for increasing occlusal vertical dimension, having trouble in finding a protocol for decreasing occlusal vertical dimension, I arbitrarily selected a bite raising procedure based on an article, reversed its order, and set five criteria for evaluation. Based on the treatment plan, I evaluated each procedure according to the aforementioned criteria. The treatment led to an appropriate occlusal position and established stability in mandibular movement and the condyle position. Further, the stomatognathic system became physiologically sound, and most importantly the patient was satisfied with the result.

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract