Fractal Analysis of Mandibular Trabecular Bone Changes in Complete Denture Patients Restored With Pre-polymerized Milled PMMA Compared With Light-cured 3D-printed Teeth: a Split-mouth Randomized Clinical Trial

Although the number of individuals who are edentulous is declining, a sizable fraction still needs a complete denture for their oral rehabilitation.Tooth loss is an issue in public health that determines quality of life since it is linked to socioeconomic, physiological, and psychological aspects. In patients who are completely edentulous, dental implants have been viewed as a favorable choice for rehabilitation.

There have been various occlusion schemes proposed. The term "lingual occlusion," or "LO," was first used in 1941 to describe the occlusion of the mandibular occlusal surfaces with the maxillary lingual cusps in a central and non-centric relationship. This makes it simpler to acquire both the dental position and the occlusal scheme LO.

DeVan suggested the neutral-centric or zero-degree (ZD) occlusion method, in which the cusps are at a zero-degree inclination to balance the incline, centralise the masticatory power, and get around the challenge of attaining precise jaw relations. Moreover, compared to cusped teeth, teeth with a zero-degree occlusal angle exert less pressure on the soft tissues. 13,14 The optimal occlusal scheme in terms of masticatory performance and patient quality of life/satisfaction, however, has not been determined.

Many radiomorphometric studies have employed digital panoramic radiographs to predict osteoporosis based on BMD levels. Dental professionals may employ the mandibular cortical width (MCW), panoramic mandibular index, and Klemetti index as general useful methods to screen for low BMD and anticipate osteoporosis. The meta-analysis determined that the erosion of mandibular cortical bone had an estimated sensitivity and specificity in identifying osteoporosis of 0.806 and 0.643, respectively.

Because individuals with cortical width more than 4 mm typically have normal BMD, MCW also exhibits improved specificity in eliminating osteopenia/osteoporosis. It will be extremely helpful for the initial screening of the osteoporosis risk and advising the assessment of further clinical risk factors to prevent osteoporotic fracture because the panoramic radiograph is frequently employed as a diagnostic tool in dental practice.