J Korean Acad Prosthodont.  2022 Jul;60(3):263-275. 10.4047/jkap.2022.60.3.263.

Full mouth rehabilitation through re-establishment of occlusal plane in partially edentulous patient with reduced vertical dimension accompanied by loss of posterior occlusal support

• Cho YE
• Leesungbok R
• Lee SW
• June Sirk Choi J

• KMID: 2532260
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4047/jkap.2022.60.3.263

Abstract

The loss of posterior occlusal support leads to further complications such as collapsed occlusal plane and reduced vertical dimension, and it may cause problems such as facial appearance change, reduced chewing efficiency, and temporomandibular joint disorders. In such case, it is necessary to re-establish occlusal plane and vertical dimension properly through accurate diagnosis and predictable treatment plan. This case report presents a 71-year-old female, whose occlusal plane was collapsed and posterior restorative space was insufficient. To perform a patient-friendly full mouth rehabilitation, proper vertical dimension and occlusal plane were decided by evaluation of interocclusal space at her physiologic mandibular rest position, swallowing, pronunciation, facial appearance, and the average length of anterior teeth. And then, the fixed provisional restorations were fabricated with the new occlusal position, and evaluated for 5 months with checking adaptation of masticatory muscles and any kind of clinical symptoms occurs or not. After confirmation of functional stability and esthetic satisfaction with the newly established occlusion, final definitive restorations were fabricated and inserted in the mouth. Through the above process, the treatment result was functionally and aesthetically satisfactory.

Keyword

Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM); Full mouth rehabilitation; Occlusal plane; Posterior occlusal support; Vertical dimension; Zirconia