[Fundamental study on occlusal wear of high-strength resin posterior denture teeth]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate resistance to occlusal wear in high-strength resin posterior teeth (here in after referred to as HS teeth), and to clarify the effects of occlusal adjustment by grinding on the wear resistance of HS teeth. In order to remove the surface layer of HS teeth, sandblasting was substituted for occlusal grinding. A test machine was designed to simulate mastication for impact and sliding under a load of 500 g. The occlusal wear was measured as change of vertical height and volume of the test posterior teeth. The results were as follows: 1. HS teeth exhibited greater resistance to the occlusal wear than resin and porcelain posterior teeth. 2. HS teeth with sandblasting started to wear earlier than without sandblasting, and showed a greater degree of attrition. 3. Once wearing has started, either with or without sandblasting, attrition seemed to increase on the same curvature of wear. 4. Two types of HS teeth showed different wear patterns. These results suggested that it is important to preserve the surface layer of HS teeth, when applied to the denture prosthesis.