The effect of immediate dentures on maxillomandibular relations

Immediate mandibular and maxillary dentures were made for six patients to determine the relative changes in the vertical dimension of occlusion and rest position over a 3-month test period. The dentures were mounted on the articular in centric occlusion (habitual). Pilkington-Turner anatomic teeth were used on the maxillary denture, which was set against a flat, noninterfering acrylic resin occlusion rim instead of mandibular posterior teeth. Positional cephalometric measurements in centric occlusion and rest position were made before extraction and at 1-week, 1-month, 2-month, and 3-month intervals. The dentures were relined after 2 months. The results were as follows: 1. In the centric occlusion position the mandible moved forward after 1 week and remained forward for the 3-month test period. 2. The rest position showed no significant change in the anteroposterior position of the mandible with time. 3. The vertical dimension of occlusion and rest showed a gradual decrease over the entire test period. 4. The reline procedure did not affect the trend of the dimensional changes. 5. A noninterfering occlusal scheme is advantageous for immediate dentures.