Biostereometric quantification of clinical denture tooth wear

In this study the wear of mandibular acrylic resin teeth opposed by porcelain maxillary teeth arranged in a lingualized occlusal scheme over a period of 3 years was measured. Six edentulous subjects received complete dentures as above and with three baseline markers of amalgam. At yearly intervals casts were made of the mandibular occlusal surfaces, including markers, and plotted by stereophotogrammetry. Volumetric loss of material was quantifiable. Ranges of 0.62-3.33 mm3/mm2 on the left side and 0.71-1.64 mm3/mm2 on the right were recorded. Friedman two-way ANOVA test indicated significant wear on teeth 35, 36, 45 and 46 but not on 34 and 44. A one-sided chewer displayed greater wear on the contralateral side, a finding difficult to explain.