THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SEVERITY OF PERIODONTITIS AND OCCLUSAL CONDITIONS MONITORED BY THE K6 DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM(R)

The occlusal conditions of periodontitis patients were investigated by using a computerized monitoring device. Thirty-three mild to severe p eriodontitis patients were enrolled in the study and they were categor ized into three groups by their periodontitis severity. Each subject a nswered a preliminary questionnaire, received routine dental examinati ons, and underwent MKG/EMG tests using the K6 Diagnostic System. Clini cal manifestations of periodontitis were confirmed by the questionnair e and the routine clinical examinations. According to the MKG tests, t he traces of maximum opening distance and vertical freeway space showe d no significant statistical difference among the groups. However, the velocity of terminal tooth contact was significantly delayed in the s evere periodontitis group. According to the EMG tests, there was no si gnificant difference in the rest mode EMG activities, but the function mode EMG activities significantly weakened in the severe periodontiti s group. These results showed that severe periodontitis patients had p oor occlusal conditions that might have been triggered by the instabil ity of centric occlusion due to attachment loss.