Assessing, categorizing and proposing the therapeutic effect of complete dentures on temporomandibular disorders analyzed by craniomandibular index: a prospective interventional study.

BACKGROUND

Edentulism is a devastating condition that is often irreversible and considered a marker of a diseased state of oral health. The prevalence of edentulism globally is 22%, which is quite high. The long-term absence of complete dentures is thought to cause joint problems.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and categorize the effect of complete dentures on signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) analyzed by the Craniomandibular Index (CMI) in completely edentulous patients.

METHODS

This interventional and prospective study was conducted. Preliminary screening of completely edentulous patients with the Anamnestic component of the Helkimos Index was done. 110 subjects with severe TMD, as per the preliminary screening, were included in the study. Secondary Screening for the Dysfunction and Palpation components of the CMI was done to obtain baseline measures. The complete denture was delivered. After three months, the CMI Score was re-evaluated. Descriptive and analytical statistics were done.

RESULTS

The mean CMI score before denture insertion was 1.50 ± 0.12, and after denture insertion, it was 0.45 ± 0.25. The test used for the analysis of the values was the student's paired t-test. A statistically significant difference in CMI at pre- and post-treatment with complete dentures (t = 57.90, p = 0.0001) was found.

CONCLUSION

The study results showed abate in the severity of the signs and symptoms of TMD among the complete denture wearers over 3 months. The result of current study established the remedial effect of complete dentures on TMD and also gave a new parameter to contemplate the line of treatment by categorizing the severity of TMD on the basis of the score obtained.