Influence of complete denture renewal on craniomandibular disorders: a 1-year follow-up study

Great individual variation in the signs and symptoms of craniomandibular disorders (CMD) and in the adaptability of the masticatory system is evident among complete denture wearers. The masticatory system of 64 edentulous patients (41 women, 23 men; mean age 59 years, range 41-80 years), who came to the Institute of Dentistry for renewal of their complete dentures, was examined before prosthetic treatment and after a 1-year follow-up period. The degree of CMD was assessed using the anamnestic and clinical dysfunction indices of Helkimo. The results show that few complete denture wearers had severe signs and symptoms of CMD. No statistically significant correlation was noted between CMD and either the duration of edentulousness or the number of sets of dentures.