Incidence of occlusal contacts with complete dentures during mastication using a 6-channel telemetry system:...

The purpose of this study was to observe the incidence of occlusal contact with complete dentures during mastication using a 6-channel telemetry system whose accuracy had been improved. The telemetry system consisted of the transmitter unit and the receiver unit. The transmitter unit was embedded in the lower complete denture. This system detects occlusal contacts by the shift of frequency in 100 kHz. The transmitter allowed 6 channels for the occlusal contacts. The data was telemetered by a time division multiplex communication method. A special switch was designed to measure excursive movement on the occlusal surface. After careful occlusal adjustment, the special switches were inserted in the lower first molars. On the basis of preliminary measurements on a 64-year-old edentulous male, it appears that the width of the gliding on the occlusal surface at the lower first molar was mostly 0.2-1.2 mm and the majority of the excursive movements ended at the centric occlusal position.