A study to evaluate the effect of oral stereognosis in acceptance of fixed prosthesis.

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the oral stereognostic ability and satisfaction for fixed prosthesis in human being. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out on 40 subjects, the purpose being to investigate the relation of oral perception to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Two types of cast metal crowns-one had morphology closely resembling original tooth and other one confirmed to ideal contours were constructed on endodontically treated posterior tooth. One cast metal crown was randomly selected from two cast metal crown and fitted on prepared tooth. Oral stereognostic score of subject was determined by correct response to questionnaire based on the recognition ability of subjects. Patient satisfaction level was checked by psychometric parameter Likert scale. Same procedure was repeated with other type of cast metal crown. Results: Data obtained were compared by paired and unpaired two sample t-test. Oral stereognostic score and satisfaction score were found to be higher for cast metal crown with morphology resembling to original tooth due to recognition and discriminatory ability of subjects and recall-memory. Oral stereognostic level was found to be higher in younger than older subjects. The level of satisfaction was found to be higher in older subjects than younger subjects. Conclusion: It was concluded that acceptance of fixed prosthesis is not only based on dentist's routine procedure of treatment and patient's judgment about oral health, function, and esthetics, but also depends upon patient's oral perception and discriminatory skill for external morphology of fixed prosthesis.

Relation between oral stereognosis and masticatory efficiency in complete denture wearers: an in vivo study

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possible association between the oral stereognostic ability and masticatory efficiency at the time of denture insertion and after 6 months in complete denture wearers. Methods: Sixty edentulous patients were selected. The study was conducted in two parts. First, on the day of denture fit-in oral stereognostic ability test was conducted,followed by masticatory efficiency was carried out. The patients were recalled for check up after 6months and the same test was performed again. Data were tabulated and analyzed statistically by paired t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: There was weak correlation between oral stereognosis and masticatory efficiency. Many opinions have been presented in the literature in the past regarding oral stereognosis. The issue whether oral stereognosis also helps inpatients’ adaptation towards complete denture prosthesis is still ambiguous. No consensus has been reached. This study is further an attempt to understand the basic physiology of oral stereognosis and whether there is any possible relation between oral stereognosis and masticatory efficiency.Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, it can be concluded that oral stereognostic ability improves with time, which might be due to adaptation to the denture. As adaptation towardsdenture improves masticatory efficiency improves as well. This study showed that there might bea weak association between oral stereognosis and masticatory efficiency.