Background. This study aimed to improve the clinical effect of dental orthopedic treatment for patients who need a complete dental reconstruction, by making use of the temporomandibular joint characteristics.
Materials and Methods. A total of 647 patients with adentia who needed a complete dental reconstruction were exposed to a comprehensive examination and treatment. Patients were divided into 3 groups: orthopedic rehabilitation group (218 patients), interdisciplinary rehabilitation group (195 patients), and multidisciplinary rehabilitation group (234 patients). The follow-up period was 7 years.
Results. After the proposed rehabilitation approach, patients in the main group demonstrated an improvement in the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) score, which was significantly smaller with respect to that in the comparison groups. The frequency of clicking and pain during chewing as well as soreness sensations in this group decreased at a significantly lower pace compared to that in the comparison groups.
Conclusions. Dental reconstruction procedures aimed at restoring the shape of the teeth should focus on pain relief and temporomandibular joint function correction. The most important stage in implementing this approach is a complete and consistent examination of patients who need dental reconstruction.
Book Review: Oral Sciences Reviews 7: Temporomandibular Joint-Function and Dysfunction, 3
