| Abstract: | Objective: To evaluate changes in mandibular symphysis during 7 years of complete denture wearing following extraction of natural anterior teeth. Design: Comparison among measurements taken at four different occasions in a prospective cephalometric study. Setting: The study was conducted at the Dental School of Athens University. Subjects: 10 complete denture wearers (5 women, 5 men) with average age of 53.2 years, at the beginning of the study. Measures: Linear and area measurements of the mandibular symphysis. Results: The overall reduction in the anterior mandibular height was 7.87 mm and in the mandibular symphysis area 54.8 mm2 (p<0.05). Females presented higher total average reduction in both variables tested, and more rapid bone loss during the first two years of denture wear, compared to men. Superimposition of the tracings revealed considerable individual variation in mandibular symphysis changes. Conclusion: Results are in line with the findings of other authors indicating continuous reduction and dramatic inter-subject variation in the mandibular alveolar bone, following extraction of natural teeth and wearing of complete dentures. |
