Influence of protrusive tooth contact on tapping point distribution

This Study investigated the influence of protrusive tooth contacts (tooth c ontacts during mandibular protrusion) on the tapping point distribution. Ni ne healthy subjects volunteered for this study and the protrusive tooth con tact pattern, as well as the retrusive tooth contact pattern, was altered o n four maxillary occlusal splints. The first splint was adjusted to make th e sagittal incisal path of protrusion and retrusion equivalent to that of t he natural dentition. The second and third splints had partial and complete elimination of the protrusive tooth contact, respectively. The fourth spli nt had complete elimination of both protrusive and retrusive tooth contacts . The subjects were asked to use each splint continuously for 1 week. The t apping point distribution was measured on the 7th day after insertion of ea ch splint. The four experimental occlusal conditions were found to have a s ignificant effect on the tapping point distribution. The complete eliminati on of the protrusive tooth contact caused an anterior tapping point locatio n and an increase in the tapping point area. The former tendency was found to be independent of the presence of the retrusive tooth contact In conclus ion, it was suggested that the protrusive tooth contact plays a significant role in maintaining the consistency and stability of the tapping point.