Influence of Artificial Tooth Forms on Bone Deformation beneath Complete Dentures

¹ University of Alabama, School of Dentistry, Birmingham, Alabama

A method which utilizes a strain-sensitive lacquer to demonstrate deformation patterns in bone was applied to the study of these patterns in the mandible and maxilla. Dentures were made for each of eighteen edentulous skulls.

They were duplicates in all respects except that one had non-anatomic occlusal forms and the other had anatomic forms. These skulls with dentures were mounted on a testing platform and 6-kg. loads (simulating muscle pull) were applied while the mandible was moved into lateral and protrusive positions.

Results suggest that identical loads cause more deformation of bone beneath anatomic forms than beneath non-anatomic forms; that deformation extends to remote areas; that heavy bone structure resists deformation; and that foramina seem to be areas of increased deformation.