Cinefluoroscopic study of long-term changes of bolus position and chewing cycle duration after fixed prosthetic...

Some chewing parameters were studied in 12 patients with a complete maxillary denture and a 12-unit fixed mandibular denture anchored to the two canines. Registration by means of fluoroscopy were made before, 1 month after, and in four patients 13 yr after treatment. The mean velocity of the mandible during chewing increased after the prosthetic treatment and remained stable for meat during the observation period. At the first registration, before treatment, the bolus was most frequently located in the anterior region. After completion of the prosthetic rehabilitation, the bolus was mainly located to the lateral segments during chewing of the test foods, namely meat and bread. The recordings were almost identical 13 yr later. Despite a very reduced periodontal support, posterior cantilevered segments were satisfactorily used in comminution and the patients seemed to be unaware of the forces exerted on the remaining teeth.