Computer graphics of center of masticatory forces in complete dentures

1. INTRODUCTION. In dental education, it is valuable to show visually the differences between a good-fitting and an ill-fitting complete denture. A vector of masticatory forces across all the teeth of the denture is available to estimate the capability of the denture. The vector is simple while the forces exerted on a denture are very complex. A vector has only two factors, the point of application (center of force) and the magnitude. Because a complete denture acts as a unit, we can obtain the vector from electrical signals detected by transducers installed in the denture base. The aim of this study was to develop software which is able to show visually to dental students, the differences between the vectors of the dentures of three representative complete denture wearers. 2. METHODS. Three subjects, each with either a good, a moderate or an ill-fitting complete denture, were selected. Subject 1 could use the denture very comfortably during experiment. Subject 2 was uncomfortable at the insertion of the new denture, but after adaptations to the denture he could use it very well. Subject 3 had been uncomfortable during the experiment. A bottom complete denture was divided into upper and lower parts. These were connected by the four force-detecting units which were embedded in approximately the first premolar and second molar regions on both sides of the denture. The electric signals from these units during the chewing of peanuts and raisins (sampling time period: 30 msec) were recorded as digital signals and processed using the computer (Macintosh IIcx, Apple Computer) with the A/D converter (Lab-NB), National Instruments). Center and magnitudes of masticatory force were calculated from all sampling points using our newly developed software scripted by ¿C¿ (MPW C, Apple Computer). On the other hand, a tracing of the external shape of the dentition of the denture was made using the project (V-12, NIKON). The tracing of the dentition, with center and magnitude of masticatory forces was displayed successively on the screen like a movie. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. The typical scenes in each cases during one stroke of chewing were illustrated in Figure 1. The center of each circle is the point of application of the vector and the diameter of the circle is its magnitude. As time proceeded, the diameter of the circle became larger. As the period of denture insertion proceeded, the center of masticatory force was localized on the first molar region in subject 1, was shifted from the middle of the dental arch to the molar in subject 2, and was irregularly moved on the middle of the dental arch in subject 3. This software could visualize the center of masticatory force as an indicator of the type of fitting of the complete denture on display.