Determination of vertical dimension of occlusion by using the phonetic vowel "O" and "E".

BACKGROUND/AIM: The vertical dimension of occlusion is a very important parameter for proper reconstruction of the relationship between the jaws. The literature describes many methods for its finding, from the simple, easily applicable clinically, to quite complicated, with the use of one or more devices for determination. The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of determining the vertical dimension of occlusion using the vocals "O" and "E" with the control of values obtained by applying cognitive functions. METHODS: This investigation was performed with the two groups of patients. The first group consisted of 50 females and 50 males, aged 18 to 30 years. In this group the distance between the reference points (on top of the nose and chin) was measured in the position of the mandible in the vertical dimension of occlusion, the vertical dimension at rest and the pronunciation of the words "OLO" and "ELE". Checking the correctness of the particular value for the word "OLO" was also performed by the phonetic method with the application of cognitive exercises when the patients counted from 89 to 80. The obtained difference in the average values in determining the vertical dimension of occlusion and the "OLO" and "ELE" in the first group was used as the reference for determining the vertical dimension of occlusion in the second group of patients. The second group comprised of 31 edentulous persons (14 females and 17 males), aged from 54 to 85 years who had been made a complete denture. RESULTS: The average value obtained for the vertical dimension of rest for the entire sample was 2.16 mm, for the word "OLO" for the entire sample was 5.51 mm and for the word "ELE" for the entire sample was 7.47 mm. There was no statistically significant difference between the genders for the value of the vertical dimension at rest, "ELE" and "OLO". There was a statistically significant difference between the values f or the vertical dimension at rest, "OLO" and "ELE" for both genders. There was a statistically significant correlation between the value for the vertical dimension at rest, "OLO" and "ELE", for both groups of subjects. CONCLUSION: Determining the vertical dimension of occlusion requires 5.5 mm subtraction from the position of the mandible in pronunciation of the word "OLO" or 7.5 mm in pronunciation of the word "ELE".

[The neutral zone and vertical dimension of occlusion].

INTRODUCTION: More recent research points out to the existence of a new concept of the technique for locating the neutral zone. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of changing vertical dimension of occlusion, as well as that of the alveolar ridge type, on the neutral zone dimensions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The neutral zone was investigated in two groups of patients, with prominent (the control group) and flat alveolar ridges and it was determined for each patient at 3 heights (the correct, the increased and the decreased vertical dimension of occlusion). It was studied both vertically and horizontally. The width of the neutral zone was measured in different regions. RESULTS: The width of the neutral zone was minimal at the level of the occlusal plane, and it increased gradually as the occlusal plane went down and up, towards the anterior region. CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference was found in the width of the neutral zone, between the group of patients with prominent alveolar ridges (the control group), and that with the flat ones. There was, also, no difference at all, at any level of the vertical dimension of occlusion, that could possibly bear statistical significance.

[Mineral substances in the bone tissue and blood of patients with osteoporosis].

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a very common disorder of skeleton, which can be caused by various metabolic disturbances, malnutrition, immobilization, endocrine disorders, bone marrow diseases, connective tissue disorders, and, in some cases, by inappropriate therapy. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the relationships between the mineral content in the alveolar bone and serum osteoporosis in chosen patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included an experimental and a control group of patients who were submitted to internal and prosthodontic therapy. The plan of therapy was to extract anticipated parodonthopathic teeth, taking samples of the alveolar bone and its analysis by spectrometry. At the same time the biochemical analyses of the blood were performed. RESULTS: Before the therapy, due to negative remodeling, values of mineral content in decalcified bone tissue and serum were significantly lower than in the control group. After the therapy, the quality of the bone tissue was improved, with increased contents of mineral substances. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Disorders of mineral metabolism are very important for osteoporosis. This disorder may involve entire skeleton, especially stomatoghnatic complex. Therefore osteoporosis is one of very important illnesses in dentistry, especially in prosthodontics, because of the supporting nature of bone tissue for all types of dental prostheses.

[Preparation of irreversible hydrocolloides to improve retention of complete dentures].

INTRODUCTION: Precise reproduction of anatomical-morphological details of dentures support on working models presupposes adequate application of modern impression materials and casting procedure, as well as minimal dimensional change of these materials. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: experimental and clinical research is connected to irreversible hydrocolloides and the objective was to examine the most suitable consistency of the alginate as the impression mass for the purpose of improving retention of complete dentures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This research included 35 completely toothless patients, most of who had already had complete dentures, 40-80 years of age and of both sexes. Static adhesion was measured with acrylate plates made of adequate corresponding and various models depending on consistency of the irreversible hydrocolloides. Each model was cut into three parts, the cuts obtained were mutually compared, and computerized graphic charts of each section were made. RESULTS: The results of the research show that there is a greater retention force in the acrylate plates obtained on models casted on an anatomical impression base taken with irreversible hydrocolloides of solid consistency. Analysis of the results shows such quality of impressed tissues that they are practically slightly displaced by the impressions regardless of the consistency of the material impressed. CONCLUSION: In conclusion it is pointed out that the preparation of irreversible hydrocolloides must be carried out by strictly obeying the powder-water weight ratios. The sections of the models obtained by irreversible hydrocolloides of various consistencies, that is by applying different pressures, point to minimal displacement of tissues and great differences in the retention force in favour of the compressive impression.

[Neurophysiological conception of pain in craniomandibular disfunction].

INTRODUCTION: Ethiopathogenesis of dysfunction and pain in temporomandibular joints has been the subject of passionate discussions between supporters of purely mechanical conception and the ones who are supporters of psyhosomatic conception. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Relying on neurophysiological data, the authors are trying to reveal the main role of reticular mesencephalical formation in mechanisms which provoke craniomandibular dysfunctions and confront the influence of emotional factors from neocortex and painful stimuli from oral structures. DISCUSSION: From dynamical point of view, not only the morphological aspects of teeth and arcades, but also sensitive-sensorial mechanisms connected to masticatory muscles, periodontal structures and oral structures, should be considered. The ideal bite and perfect morphology of tooth arcades are not enough for reconstitution of correct occlusion, if there are no neuromuscular system, temporomandibular joint, and especially central nervous system. CONCLUSION: The presence of pain is just one of the craniomandibular dysfunction symptoms, but if it is added to the other clinical signs and emotional or affect--provoking factor, it will provoke dysfunctional syndrome.