Clinical wear of different types of denture teeth after one year in service: A clinical study

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Worn denture teeth are a common reason for replacing complete dentures. However, clinical studies on the amount of denture tooth wear are lacking.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this clinical study was to compare the clinical wear of denture teeth made from double cross-linked (DCL) versus highly cross-linked (HCL) materials after 1 year in service.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fourteen participants received maxillary and mandibular removable complete dentures (RCDs). The participants randomly received either DCL or HCL teeth. Each RCD was scanned with an intraoral scanner 1 week after finishing any occlusal adjustment and after 1 year. Occlusal contact marks were recorded using articulating paper, and photographs were made in centric and eccentric movements. The generated 1-week and 1-year standard tessellation language (STL) files of the scans were obtained and trimmed using the Geomagic X software program. After merging the files, the depth of the wear facets was measured using the software program tool that measures the vertical gap distance in micrometers at 100 points distributed on the contact areas. These areas were identified by using the segment tools in the software program. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the differences between the collected data (α=.05).

RESULTS

The DCL had higher mean ±standard deviation wear (62.7 ±40 µm) than the HCL (37 ±31 µm) after 1 year in service (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Both DCL and HCL denture teeth showed acceptable clinical wear after 1 year of clinical use. HCL denture teeth showed more resistance to occlusal wear than DCL denture teeth.

Assessment of oral and overall health parameters using the SillHa Oral Wellness System

OBJECTIVE

The study evaluated use of a multipoint saliva analyzer to assess patient wellness in a contemporary dental practice setting.

STUDY DESIGN

Unstimulated saliva from a diverse 104 patient cohort was analyzed using the SillHa Oral Wellness System. The device measures the following 7 analytes present in the patient's oral rinse: cariogenic bacteria, acidity, buffer capacity, blood, leukocytes, protein, and ammonia. Data obtained were compared with validated clinical assessment data independently provided by credentialed dental professionals.

RESULTS

Measured leukocyte and protein levels were higher in patients with periodontal disease and/or deep gingival pockets. Patients with a history of cancer and/or diabetes presented with higher ammonia and lower leukocyte levels. Acidity levels were higher in patients using multiple xerogenic medications and lower in patients with a history of sleep apnea. Sex differences showed female patients exhibiting higher acidity, lower buffer capacity, and lower ammonia than male patients. Increasing age is associated with elevated buffer capacity.

CONCLUSIONS

Multipoint saliva analyzers such as the one used in this study, along with clinical practice examination and medical history, can provide rapid salivary component analysis that augments treatment planning. A follow-up multisite study would provide the opportunity to test this analyzer in clinical sites with different practice workflows.