Influence of the buccolingual position of artificial posterior teeth on the pressure distribution on the supporting tissue under a complete denture.

The buccolingual position of artificial teeth is one of the important factors affecting denture stability, chewing efficiency, and pressure distribution on the supporting tissue under a denture. This study compared the pressure values on the supporting tissue under a denture during chewing in denture wearers, each of whom tried three different setting positions of artificial posterior teeth. The pressure on supporting tissue was greater on the working side that on the non-working side during chewing. The difference in mean pressure was found among the buccolingual positions of artificial posterior teeth. When the posterior teeth were set on the crest, the total pressure was the smallest. This strongly suggests that the setting position of artificial teeth should be considered not only for denture stability but also for the avoidance of high pressure on the supporting structures.