[Case of functional and esthetic rehabilitation by increased occlusal vertical dimension with prosthetic treatment].

PATIENT

The patient was a 72-year-old woman who presented with chief complaints of masticatory and esthetic impairment due to detachment of a bridge in the anterior tooth region. These symptoms were attributed to displacement of the mandibular position caused by an untreated defect in the mandibular molar region and extrusion of the mandibular anterior tooth region associated with reductions in the occlusal vertical dimension of the molar region. The occlusal vertical dimension was restored using a denture with an occlusal splint as treatment denture, and functional and esthetic recovery was observed.

DISCUSSION

Establishment of stable occlusal support in the molar region is thought to be utmost importance in stabilizing prosthesis of the anterior tooth region.

CONCLUSION

Although a unilateral defect was observed in the mandibular molar region, use of a denture with an occlusal splint enabled bilateral elevation in addition to creation of denture space in the maxilla. The occlusal splint region was then replaced with prosthesis to obtain a stable occlusal relationship in the molar region and simultaneously to facilitate functional and esthetic recovery of the anterior tooth region.