Influence of clinical remounting of complete dentures on occlusion and disocclusion times as indicators of occlusal balance: A computerised occlusal analysis

Background: Occlusal balance in complete dentures is usually achieved by eliminating occlusal discrepancies through selective grinding. The main challenge lies in the accurate detection of the premature contacts to be able to achieve true and proper occlusal balance. There are several ways to detect occlusal errors and premature contacts including the intra-oral clinical assessment methods and remounting procedures.
Purpose: Dental literature lacks studies that objectively investigated the accuracy of occlusal adjustment after clinical remounting procedures as compared with that done only by intra-oral assessment using articulating paper. The aim of this study was to quantitatively and objectively assess the influence of clinical remounting on occlusion (OT) and disocclusion (DT) times, as objective indicators of occlusal balance, using computerized occlusal analysis.
Methods: This clinical study included 20 completely edentulous patients, 11 males and 9 females (aged 51 to 64, with an average of 57.6 years). Two sets of conventional complete dentures were constructed for each patient with a total of 40 dentures. Occlusal adjustment of 20 denture sets was done based on intra-oral assessment using articulating paper (control group) while occlusal adjustment of the other 20 denture sets was done based on clinical remounting procedures (experimental group). Occlusal parameters including OT, DT during right excursion (DT-Right) and DT during left excursion (DT-Left) were recorded for each set of dentures. Paired t-test was used to statistically analyze and compare the OT, DT-Right and DT-Left values between the two denture groups. A probability value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean recorded OT was 0.48 seconds in the intra-oral method (articulating paper) group and decreased to 0.32 seconds in the clinical remounting group. This decrease was statistically significant. The mean recorded DT was 0.6 and 0.62 seconds for DT-Right and DT-Left respectively in the intra-oral method group. However they decreased to 0.36 and 0.37 seconds in the clinical remounting group. Again this decrease was statistically significant for both right and left lateral excursions.
Conclusion: Occlusal adjustment based on clinical remounting procedures is more accurate and achieves more occlusal balance, as represented by shorter occlusion and disocclusion times, when compared to the intra-oral adjustment method using an articulating paper.