Occlusal wear of resin denture teeth after two years

Objectives: This prospective clinical study evaluated the occlusal wear of posterior resin denture teeth in full dentures during a period of 24 months.

Methods: The study protocoll was approved by the local ethics committee. Fifty patients, provided with full dentures in at least one jaw were included in this study. Gypsum casts (GC Fujirock EP Pearl White) were made from preliminary polyvinylsiloxane impressions (Flexitime, Heraeus Kulzer) 4 weeks after insertion (t₀), after 6 (t₁), 12 (t₂) and 24 months (t₃).  Three hundred and three posterior denture teeth (Vitapan, Vita Zahnfabrik) were evaluated during the complete period of 24 months. Wear was measured with sequential images using a 3D Laser Scanner (Willytec) and presented as mean wear, maximum wear, and volume wear. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed regression models, with the patient being a random effect (SAS 9.1).

Results: Results are summarized in the following table.

The wear rates between t_1, t_2, and t₃ were statistically significant in terms of mean wear (p<0.01). The antagonistic support showed a significant influence on wear at t₃ (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Resin denture teeth demonstrate continuous wear during 24 months in service. The results indicate that the antagonistic situation affects wear of denture teeth.