BIOSTEREOMETRIC QUANTIFICATION OF CLINICAL DENTURE TOOTH WEAR

In this study the wear of mandibular acrylic resin teeth opposed by po rcelain maxillary teeth arranged in a lingualized occlusal scheme over a period of 3 years was measured. Six edentulous subjects received co mplete dentures as above and with three baseline markers of amalgam. A t yearly intervals casts were made of the mandibular occlusal surfaces , including markers, and plotted by stereophotogrammetry. Volumetric l oss of material was quantifiable. Ranges of 0.62-3.33 mm(3)/mm(2) on t he left side and 0.71-1.64 mm(3)/mm(2) on the right were recorded. Fri edman two-way ANOVA test indicated significant wear on teeth 35, 36, 4 5 and 46 but not on 34 and 44. A one-sided chewer displayed greater we ar on the contralateral side, a finding difficult to explain.