Cephalometric evaluation of maxillomandibular relationships in patients wearing complete dentures: a pilot study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in vertical and sagittal maxillomandibular relationship of the patients who had been wearing dentures for an extensive period. Fifteen edentulous patients (seven men and eight women; mean age 63.5 years) who had worn dentures for six to 16 years (mean 10 years) were selected for this study. New prostheses were fabricated by conventional methods, and the patients were evaluated cephalometrically before and after the new prosthesis. The results were compared by Wilcoxon signed rank test (P < .05). Results indicated that a prognathic mandible and a pseudo Class III relationship with a reduced occlusal vertical dimension became a normal Class I maxillomandibular relation when the new prosthesis was inserted. A better facial profile was achieved.