Overdentures on natural teeth: a new approach.

AIM: The study presents a new type of copings for overdentures on natural teeth. METHODS: A new type of custom-made copings was prepared on 10 extracted teeth and their marginal fit was observed microscopically by means of a mechanical device, and software was employed to measure the gap. RESULTS: The marginal fit evaluation gave satisfactory values with mean values of the gap measurements below the clinically accepted limits (mean gap: 25.3 microm; minimum 7.3 microm, maximum 56.5 microm). CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of these new copings are: the rapidity of their preparation; the protection of the root canal treatment, because the coping with this chair-side method is prepared and cemented in one session; the low costs.

Evaluation of the utility of cephalometric parameters in constructing complete denture. Part I: placement of posterior teeth.

Various types of parameters, including cephalometric ones, have been used in the construction of complete denture. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of cephalometric parameters for this purpose. The position of the posterior teeth in a group of 42 edentulous patients, successfully rehabilitated with complete denture according to clinical parameters, was evaluated by cephalometrics. The following were determined: vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO); orientation of the occlusal plane; and subdivision of the denture space. The cephalometric parameters do not correspond to the clinical positioning of the posterior teeth in successful rehabilitation with complete denture.

Innervation of the human temporomandibular joint capsule and disc as revealed by immunohistochemistry for neurospecific markers.

An immunohistochemical investigation for the neurospecific markers S-100 protein and protein gene product 9.5 was carried out on 12 healthy temporomandibular joint discs and capsules that were taken at autopsy from human adults. Large nerve trunks in the joint capsule and posterior disc ligament, as well as small nerve bundles and single nerves in almost all parts of the capsule, were heavily stained by anti-S-100 antiserum. The S-100 immunoreactive chondrocytes were also detected in the disc. Antiprotein gene product 9.5 similarly evidenced nerve fibers in the capsule and posterior disc ligament, and it also labeled a few small nerve bundles and a number of single fibers in the peripheral portions of the disc. No corpuscular or specialized endings were encountered in the specimens. These results give new support to the existence of a rich innervation of the human temporomandibular joint capsule and disc that should be further characterized with regard to type, function, and neuropeptide content.

[The incidence of craniomandibular disorders in patients with cervical dysfunctions. A clinico-statistical assessment]. / Incidenza dei disordini cranio-mandibolari in pazienti con disfunzioni cervicali. Una valutazione clinico-statistica.

The aim of this research was to measure the incidence of craniomandibular disorders in a group of patients with functional-type cervical alterations. The group consisted of 50 patients undergoing treatment for disorders of the cervical sectors of the spine. Each patient was subjected to a medical examination to investigate the presence of CMD signs or symptoms. From the data statistical analysis a higher percentage of cases with muscular and joint pain, limited mouth opening, deviation and deflection, were found in comparison with the percentage found among the general population. This demonstrates an overloading of the entire masticatory apparatus. Joint noise was less frequent, probably due to its exclusion from our sample of patients with arthrosis-type degenerative pathology.

[Impression method in patients with maxillo-facial loss with reduction of the degree of oral opening]. / Metodo d'impronta in pazienti maxillo-facciali con riduzione del grado di apertura orale.

The article describes a method for obtaining an impression in patients suffering from a loss of maxillo-facial structure with reduced oral aperture. This involves making an individual resin tray, which is then divided in two, with four plugs on the underside for precise re-alignment later. The method suggested facilitates the insertion and removal of the tray. Thus an accurate impression of the perimeter can be obtained without the risk of trauma.