Patient satisfaction following resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses cemented by using the Dahl concept.

OBJECTIVE: Resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs) cemented at an increased occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) (the Dahl concept) to create space for a metal retainer remains controversial because of the lack of reported clinical studies. This study analyzed the demographic (age and sex) and clinical factors (location and arch of prosthesis) affecting the patients' perception of RBFDPs cemented at an increased OVD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight participants treated with cantilevered RBFDP at an increased OVD were prospectively recruited. They were asked to answer a validated patient satisfaction questionnaire based on six parameters during the 12-week review visit. RESULTS: 71.4% of the participants were completely satisfied with the color, shape, and function. Twenty-one (75%) participants reported no complaints about the prostheses. 89.3% will recommend this treatment option to others. There was a significant difference between males and females in avoiding loading on the prostheses (p = 0.015). The level of satisfaction did not differ by age, ethnicity, location, and arch of the prostheses (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patient satisfaction toward RBFDP cemented by using the Dahl approach was generally high on all the parameters at the 12-week review visit.

Bite force of patients with tooth pain.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was twofold: (i) to measure the bite force of healthy adults and patients with tooth pain and (ii) to evaluate the influence of bite force and age on tooth pain and both genders. It is hypothesized that patients with tooth pain would have lesser bite forces as compared to healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups of participants were, the first group comprised 18 healthy adults (9 males, 9 females), while the second group comprised 18 patients with tooth pain (9 males, 9 females), recruited from the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA. Their maximum bite forces were recorded using the Prescale system that consists of pressure-sensitive films and a precalibrated scanning device. Logistic regression models were used using bite force and age on dichotomous responses of tooth pain status and gender. RESULTS: The mean bite force of patients with tooth pain was 684.77 ± 501.13 N, which was lesser than 798.33 ± 492.16 N of the healthy adults. The reduced gender logistic regression model on gender with age was found to be statistically significant (p ≤ .05). CONCLUSIONS: Even though the mean bite force was smaller in the group with dental pain, this difference was not statistically significant.

Occlusal force and occlusal contact reestablishment with resin-bonded fixed partial dental prostheses using the Dahl concept: A clinical study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Space creation for a metal retainer of the resin-bonded fixed partial dental prostheses (RBFPDPs) with the Dahl concept remains controversial because of the lack of clinical studies. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate the occlusal force and occlusal contact reestablishment of RBFPDPs cemented at an increased occlusal vertical dimension (the Dahl concept) and to evaluate the factors affecting them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective clinical study was carried out on 28 participants receiving cantilevered RBFPDPs at an increased occlusal vertical dimension at the Faculty of Dentistry, University Teknologi MARA. Maximum occlusal forces were recorded at precementation, postcementation, and 12-week review visit by using pressure indicating film, while occlusal contact reestablishment was assessed at the precementation stage and 12-week review visit by using shim stock foils. The Wilcoxon signed-rank and chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis (α=.05). RESULTS: Significant differences were found for maximum occlusal force between the precementation and the postcementation and between the postcementation and the 12-week review of RBFPDPs (P<.05 for both) in all 28 participants. However, no significant difference was found between the precementation and the 12-week review (P=.085). The occlusal force reestablishment concerning sex, age, location, and arch of the prosthesis was found to be similar. Most of the participants (89.3%) achieved complete occlusal contact reestablishment and 10.7% partial occlusal reestablishment. The demographic and prosthesis factors were not significantly related to the occlusal reestablishment (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, occlusal force was reestablished after 12 weeks, and occlusal contact was completely reestablished in most participants after placement of RBFPDPs at an increased occlusal vertical dimension.