Clinical wear study of three commercially available artificial tooth materials: thirty-six month results.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Excessive wear of artificial resin teeth has been a concern to both the patient and the dentist because of unfavorable associated sequelae. The search for a more wear resistant resin tooth material resulted in the development of modified resin teeth that displayed acceptable wear resistance.

PURPOSE

This study compared clinical wear of a new modified resin tooth material with two other commercially available modified resin materials over a period of 36 months. Differences in wear by gender, cuspal anatomy, arch, individual tooth type, and chewing side preference were also evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 67 patients were randomized into one of three treatment groups in this double-blind study; group 1, Ivoclar-Vivodent and Orthotyp; group 2, Dentsply-Trublend SLM; and group 3, Dentsply-Bioblend IPN. Tooth wear was determined by measuring vertical heights of contacting points at baseline and 36 months with a computerized coordinate measuring machine and computer-controlled positioning stages. Measurements were completed at 36 months for 55 patients who remained in the study.

RESULTS

Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed no significant difference in total wear by gender or tooth material at 36 months. There was also no significant difference by chewing side preference or cuspal anatomy. However, there was a significant difference in individual tooth wear (canine, premolar, molar) and by arch.

CONCLUSION

New modified resin teeth have displayed clinically acceptable wear resistance for most patients.