Purpose: To explore the correlation between increased vertical dimensions and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) spaces of patients with severe tooth wear after occlusal reconstruction treatment.
Methods: The TMJ spaces and the condylar positions of 30 patients were measured by cone-beam CT (CBCT) before and after treatment. SPSS 19.0 software package was used to analyze the anterior, superior and posterior space of TMJ. Independent sample t test was utilized to evaluate the correlation between vertical dimension and TMJ spaces.
Results: There was no significant difference between TMJ spaces of two sides, the data of two sides were combined for further analysis. The mean anterior interspace, superior interspace, posterior interspace was (2.01±0.52)mm, (3.15±0.94)mm, (2.70±0.98)mm before treatment, and (2.03±0.35)mm, (3.46±0.74)mm, (2.79±0.58)mm after treatment, respectively. Based on calculating the In(P/A) and linear ratio(LR), condylar position moved backward for 52% patients before treatment. After occlusal reconstruction, the reduction rate of anterior displacement of condyle was 86.7%.
Conclusions: In addition to restoring its vertical dimensions of patients with severe tooth wear, the condyle should be induced to appropriate position to prevent TMJ symptoms.