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Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Except for denture quality, many other factors are related to a patient's satisfaction with complete dentures (CDs).Methods: A total of 222 patients with CDs took a part in this study. A questionnaire divided into 3 parts was completed by both the patients and the dentist, independently. The patients rated their dentures using a scale ranging from 1 to 5 (1 = dissatisfaction to 5 = excellent), and a dentist rated the quality of the denture and the denture-bearing area.Results: Patients were mostly satisfied with the quality of their CDs. Only 7.2% of the patients were absolutely not satisfied with their dentures. Patients with a low level of education were more satisfied in general with their aesthetic appearance. Patients with better self-perception of their affective status and quality of life showed higher levels of general satisfaction. Patients with better self-perception of their economic status showed lower levels of satisfaction. Younger patients wearing dentures for the first time, with short periods of being edentulous, and with better quality maxillary denture-bearing areas were more satisfied with the retention of maxillary CDs. In contrast, younger patients with first-time dentures, a short period of being edentulous, and with better quality mandibular denture-bearing areas gave lower ratings to the retention and comfort of wearing mandibular dentures.Conclusions: Level of education, self-perception of affective and economic status, and quality of life are all related to patient satisfaction. However, the quality of dentures shows the strongest correlation with patient satisfaction. Not only the quality of the denture-bearing area but the denture-wearing experience itself seems to be more important in determining patient satisfaction with mandibular CDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop a new unidimensional questionnaire for patients' self-assessment of their chewing function (chewing function questionnaire: CFQ) and to test its psychometric properties., Methods: A focus group of 7 dentists and 15 prosthodontic patients generated a pool of 30 relevant items. A 5-point Likert scale (0-4) was used. A focus group reduced some redundant items, and 21 items remained for pilot testing after which additional four items were eliminated. Then, the 17-item questionnaire was tested on a larger sample (200 participants). Factor analysis was obtained to investigate the dimensionality of the questionnaire. Finally the 10 items remained, and the CFQ was unidimensional. To test the psychometric properties, the CFQ was administrated to 224 individuals: 100 patients were already removable denture wearers (RDWs), 24 patients needed a removable prosthodontic treatment, and 100 individuals had natural teeth (NT group). Discriminative validity was tested between the RDWs and the NT groups. Convergent validity and internal consistency were tested on 200 subjects. The internal consistency was assessed by calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the average interitem correlation. The test-retest reliability was tested on 60 subjects. Responsiveness was tested on 24 patients who received new removable prosthodontic treatment., Results: The initial factor analysis revealed that the items had been grouped in three different dimensions. By eliminating items with complexities greater than one, additional six questions were eliminated. One more item with the lowest correlation was further eliminated. The final questionnaire included 10 items. Discriminative validity showed significant differences between the NT group and the RDWs, as predicted (P < 0.001). Convergent validity was confirmed by the Spearman's rank correlation. A significant positive association (P < 0.001) was found between the CFQ and one general question about chewing difficulties, as well as between the CFQ and five items from the OHIP49 related to chewing. The test-retest reliability showed high intraclass correlation and no significant differences between the two administrations of the CFQ (P > 0.05). The internal consistency showed satisfactory Cronbach's alpha values (0.916 for all subjects, 0.742 for the NT group, and 0.852 for the RDWs). Responsiveness was confirmed by a significant difference between the baseline and the follow-up score (P < 0.001) and a high effect size (0.95)., Conclusions: The developed CFQ provides an assessment instrument of the hypothetical construct invoked to explain the chewing function. Psychometric properties are satisfactory demonstrating that the instrument is suitable for the assessment of a self-perceived chewing function., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The aims of the study were to determine the impact of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) on self-percieved oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) and to compare OHRQoL of patients with TMD with a control group. A total of 81 TMD patients participated in a study group and 400 adults served as the control group. The mean OHIP summary scores were computed for all patients with the same diagnosis and the same subgroup of axis I according to the RDC/TMD exam form. The mean OHIP subscores for all seven domains of the OHIP questionnaire were compared between the study and the control group. The hierarchical linear regression model was used to assess the most important variables according to the RDC/TMD protocol that contribute to OHRQoL in TMD patients with the OHIP summary score as dependent variable. According to this study, TMD had a high association with reduced OHRQoL (p < 0.001). More diagnoses of axis I according to the RDC/TMD protocol (p < 0.001), higher age of TMD patients (p < 0.001) and diagnoses associated with limited jaw movements contributed to more impaired OHRQoL (p = 0.008 and p = 0.030, respectively). Female TMD patients had no significantly different OHRQoL compared to male patients (p = 0.436). According to regression analysis, higher age (p < 0.001), more physical diagnoses (p = 0.018) and diagnosis Ib (p = 0.169) explained 39.1% of the variability (p < 0.001) of the OHIP summary score in TMD patients.

Aim: Residual ridges change in shape and reduce in size due to alveolar bone resorption. Therefore, the purpose was to investigate changes in denture base thickness (DBT) and interocclusal rest space (IRS) with regard to the denture relining procedure., Methods: The IRS and DBT were measured (before and after denture relining) in the case of 74 patients and their removable dental prostheses by using a precise sliding gauge. The DBT measuring was performed in 6 points for maxillary and in 3 points for mandibular removable dental prosthesis. The IRS values were measured as the distance (in mm) between the incisal edges of the maxillary and mandibular central incisors with patient's mandible in a physiological "rest position" with head and neck in the upright posture., Results: In a group of patients wearing maxillary and mandibular removable dental prosthesis mean values of DBT after denture relining were statistically significantly higher (p <0.05) in almost all measuring points. The IRS mean values after relining were statistically significantly lower (p <0.05). Statistically significant differences (p <0.05) of DBT were also observed in groups of "day-night time" and "day time" denture wearers, and in a group of patients for whom a period shorter than one year had passed since the last tooth extraction and the time when a functional impression for removable dental prostheses was taken., Conclusion: The DBT and IRS values change after the denture relining procedure due to the alveolar bone resorption. Therefore, these measures could be used as resorption indicators in dental practice.

The aim of the study was to develop and to test psychometric properties of the Albanian language version of the Oral Health Impact Questionnaire (OHIP-ALB49) in the new typical cultural context. The construct validity was tested: the convergent validity was tested on 389 subjects (general population (n = 119), removable prosthodontic patients (n = 213) and students (n = 57)), and the discriminative validity was tested in edentulous patients wearing dentures (CDWs) (n = 180) and edentulous patients having no dentures at all (n = 33). The test-retest reliability was tested on 57 subjects (27 dental students and 30 complete denture wearers), the internal consistency on 389 subjects, and the responsiveness on 33 patients with a treatment demand (complete dentures). The significant association between the OHIP summary scores and the self-reported oral health (p < 0.001) confirmed the convergent validity. The discriminative validity was confirmed by significant difference between the CDWs and the edentulous subjects without any dentures. The test-retest reliability was confirmed by high intraclass correlation coefficients and no significant differences between the two administrations (p > 0.05). The internal consistency showed high Cronbach's alpha (0.94 in general population and in prosthodontic patients, 0.96 in the student group). The responsiveness was confirmed by the statistically significant difference between the mean OHIP score at the baseline and the follow-up (p < 0.001) and by the high effect size (2.19 for the OHIP Summary Score) in the edentulous patients with a treatment demand). The psychometric properties of the OHIP-ALB49 prove that the instrument is suitable for the assessment of the Oral Health Related Quality of Life in Kosovo.

People with intellectual disability (ID) usually have a poor quality of oral health, which include poor oral hygiene, untreated caries and high proportion of missing teeth. Due to their fear and repulsive attitude towards medical staff general anesthesia is often a useful method for dental treatment. One thousand and fifty four intellectual disability patients for the period of 1985-2009 who received dental treatment under general anesthesia in Dental Polyclinic Split, were included in the study. Patients were divided into five groups based upon the period when a specific dental treatment had been received. Each period was analyzed for the number of ID patients treated and the type of dental treatment. The results showed that the most services provided were 4006 fillings, followed by 3225 extracted teeth and finally 274 endodontic treatments. Significantly the lowest number of fillings and endodontic treatments were found among patients in group II (1990-1994), with significantly the highest number of extracted teeth. In Conclusion, the types of dental treatment have changed during twenty five years. Number of extracted teeth decreased while the number of fillings and endodontic treatment increased. However, dental status of people with intellectual disability should be improved with more restorative treatments and with better oral health prevention program.

Aim: To reveal patients' satisfaction with their old, usually poorly fitting dentures and the effect of denture relining to the patient's satisfaction., Methods: Thirty seven denture wearers participated in study by filling out questionnaires about their satisfaction with dentures before and after relining. In that way the data indicating the subjective patient's experience and satisfaction were collected., Results: Relined removable dentures included in study were on average 5.52 years (upper) or 4.86 years old (lower). Most of study participants (57%) were satisfied with their poor fitting dentures. Statistically significant was correlation between chewing discomfort and satisfaction, and the time elapsed from last tooth extraction to denture production. As this period was shorter, chewing discomfort was greater and satisfaction with chewing lower. Majority (53.3%) of denture wearers were considerably more satisfied with the chewing ability and felt better regarding the chewing discomfort after denture relining. Minority of the patients (22%) still used an adhesive for fixing the dentures after relining., Conclusion: Denture relining affects patient's satisfaction with their dentures. After relining patient's masticatory function was improved, satisfaction with chewing ability and comfort were greater, and denture hygiene better. Denture relining should be performed in order to improve denture fitting to a denture bearing area, thus positively affecting patient's satisfaction with his denture(s).

Background: The rate of residual ridge atrophy (RRR) and its association with mineral density of other bones have not yet been fully explained., Objective: To measure RRR over a 5-year period in complete denture wearers and relate it to the density of a cervical spine (CSBD)., Materials and Methods: Sixty-two patients (different gender, age, body mass index, duration of edentulousness (DE) and different denture-wearing habits) participated. A copper stepwedge was attached to the cassette, and 50 lateral radiograms met the criteria to be included., Results: A significant decrease in vertical height was observed in all measured sites. The amount of RRR was highest in frontal areas of both jaws and decreased gradually towards lateral regions. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the amount of RRR in the maxillary frontal area could be explained up to 48.4% by the variable DE and only up to 6.1% by the CSBD, while gender had almost no influence (1%). Similar results were obtained for the lateral maxillary RRR (33.9%; 7%; 2%), frontal mandibular RRR (40; 8.4; 0.4%) and lateral mandibular RRR (31.5%; 3.4%; 7.7%)., Conclusion: Skeletal bone density, reflecting systemic and hereditary factors, is weakly related to RRR (3.4-8.4%)., (© 2011 The Gerodontology Society and John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Physical disfigurement and functional impairments associated with facial trauma are a challenge to a prosthodontist, because even novel sophisticated surgical reconstructive techniques fail to provide adequate support for dental resection prosthesis. Therefore, different endosseous implants are often used as prosthesis-supporting elements. Manufacturers of dental implants have recently presented mini dental implants (MDIs) with diameter of only 1.8-2.4 mm. These implants allow very suitable prosthetic solutions within the range of their indications due to good osseointegration success rates, simple surgical technique, and immediate loading possibility. In this report, a case was presented for prosthetic rehabilitation including implantation of two Sendax type (IMTEC, Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA) MDIs in mental region, to obtain better retention and stability of the mandibular resection prosthesis and to improve function, phonation and aesthetics. The use of these implants, among aforementioned preferences, is also very cost-effective, so this implantation possibility should be taken into consideration during prosthetic treatment planning.

The aim of this research was to determine the possible differences in degrees of depression, somatization and anxiety between the acute and chronic female patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and whether these differences exist in healthy female patients. Ninety female patients were involved in this research; 60 of them were TMD patients of the Dental Polyclinic, while other 30 females came for a routine recall visit and had no problem related to TMD. Patients were aged 22 to 67 years, the average age being 38.5 +/- 12 years. All patients were asked to fill in the RDC/TMD protocol and three psychological tests (Emotions Profile Index, Somatization Scale and life Events Scale). Following the analysis of the RDC/TMD protocol and psychological tests, it was determined that the chronic female patients had higher depression and somatization scores in comparison with the acute patients (p < 0.01); the acute patients self-perceive higher levels of anxiety in relation to the control group; furthermore, the patients reporting higher levels of depression were more inclined to somatization and had experienced a greater number of stress events in the past six months. It is beyond doubt that patients suffering from the TMD's exhibit higher levels of depression, somatization and anxiety compared to the healthy ones, which proves that physiological factors may play a predisposing role in combination with reduced level of body tolerance to pain, and a decreased tolerance to stress.

The resorption of the residual alveolar ridges is a chronic and continuous process of bone remodeling. The aim of this study was to analyse the rate of residual ridge resorption at different sites in the both jaws in complete denture wearers, through a five-year period of denture wearing. Residual ridge changes were measured on successive lateral cephalograms at 5 measurement points of the maxilla and the mandible. The first lateral radiograph was obtained at the delivery of complete dentures. The second lateral cephalogram was obtained after five years of denture wearing. Measurements were performed using a calibrated grid. The results of this study showed the existence of a significant alveolar ridge resorption at all five measurement points of the maxilla and the mandible. The observed variables, such as body mass index and the night time denture wearing had no significant influence on the rate of residual alveolar ridge resorption (p > 0.05). The duration of edentulousness had a significant influence on the rate of residual ridge resorption with significantly higher amounts of alveolar bone height decrease in those patients who had lost the last remaining teeth more recently.

The aim of this study was to obtain the 3-D qualitative and quantitative nanoscale data of the surface topography and surface roughness of glazed and unglazed feldspathic ceramics. Twelve samples composed of Ni-Cr alloy (Wiron 99, Bego Germany) and feldspathic ceramics (IPS Classic, Ivoclar-Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) were prepared, and divided into two groups, dependent of the surface final finishing; 6 unglazed and 6 glazed samples. The surface of the samples was recorded and analysed by atomic force microscopy (AFM, Veeco Instruments, Santa Barbara, CA, U.S.A.). According to the results of this study, unglazed ceramic surface is significantly rougher than the glazed one, showing significantly higher root mean square (RMS), mean roughness (Ra) and maximum height (Z range values) (p < 0.01), higher crystallites with sharper peaks and deeper pores. The roughness parameters of the unglazed samples were almost twice or even more higher than of the glazed samples. Exposed unglazed ceramic surfaces can therefore promote antagonistic tooth wear.

The aim of the study was to develop and to test the psychometric properties of the Slovenian version (OHIP-SVN) in the new cultural context. Construct validity was tested on 430 subjects, test-retest reliability on 60 subjects, internal consistency on 460 subjects, and responsiveness on 30 patients with a treatment demand (toothache). The significant association between the OHIP summary scores and the self-reported oral health (p < 0.001) confirmed the construct validity. The test-retest reliability showed high intraclass correlation coefficients and no significant differences between the two administrations (p > 0.05). The internal consistency showed high Cronbach's alpha (0.97). The responsiveness was confirmed by the statistically significant difference between the mean OHIP score at baseline and follow-up (p < 0.001) and by a considerable effect size in the patients with a treatment demand (0.515). The OHIP-SVN, as one of the first translation into one of the Slavic family of the languages proves that this instrument is suitable for the assessment of the Oral Health Related Quality of Life in Slovenia.

Purpose of this study was to develop a Croatian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP--CRO49), following the accepted cross-cultural adaptation technique guidelines. The original version was translated by using a forward-backward translation method. The psychometric properties of the OHIP-CRO49 were tested. To test the construct validity 163 randomly selected subjects and 26 prosthodontic patients participated. The construct validity was supported by the association between the OHIP-CRO49 sum-scores and the self-reported oral health and five oral disorders. The test-retest reliability was tested on 30 prosthodontic patients and 30 students, and it was supported by high intraclass correlation coefficients (r = 0.63 to 0.95). To test the internal consistency 163 randomly selected subjects (general population), 26 prosthodontic patients and 29 dental students participated, and it was supported by high Cronbach's alpha coefficients (0.60 to 0.97). The resposiveness was tested on 21 patients with a treatment demand (toothache), and was supported by a statistically significant mean OHIP-CRO49 score difference (from 108.48 to 27.57) and a high effect size (2.96 and 3.48). Adequate psychometric properties in a typical patients' population make the new instrument suitable for assessment of Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Croatia.

The width and length of the anterior teeth, the dimensions of the frontal dental arches and the dimensions of the hard palate were measured (24 men and 56 women, age range of 18-30 years). The results showed gender-related dimorphism only for the cervical width of the maxillary canine, which were wider in men, p < 0.05. The width-to-length ratios of the maxillary frontal teeth varied from 0.82 to 0.91. The tooth-to-tooth width ratios among different maxillary frontal teeth varied from 0.78 to 0.91. The sum of all anterior maxillary teeth widths was equal to the hamular width and to the distal maxillary arch width (p > 0.05), meaning that the sum of the frontal artificial teeth width may be selected upon the measurement of the hamular width on the hard palate. The ratios between the maxillary and the mandibular frontal dental arch dimensions are representative values for the skeletal class I.

Human bones decrease in quality and increase in porosity beginning at about the third decade of life. The aim of this study was to establish an equation to predict the maxillary and mandibular linear vertical resorption potential for elderly edentulous patients on the basis of the analysis of the cervical vertebrae in a single cephalometric radiograph. The morphology of the bodies of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae and measurements of linear vertical resorption in the frontal region of the jaws were analyzed in two consecutive cephalometric observations of 26 elderly edentulous patients over the five-year period of wearing complete dentures. An equation was determined to obtain maxillary and mandibular linear vertical resorption on the basis of measurements in the third and fourth cervical vertebral bodies and the average errors between the predicted and the actual values were 0.14 mm. The cervical vertebrae exhibited significant decrease in the height and width, and residual alveolar ridges exhibited significant decrease in the height over the 5-year period of wearing dentures (p < 0.01). These results suggest that using cervical vertebral measurements might allow predicting the maxillary and mandibular resorption for edentulous elderly patients wearing complete dentures.

Aim: To develop Croatian and Slovenian versions of the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) Questionnaire., Methods: The English original version of the OHIP questionnaire was translated into Croatian (OHIP-CRO14) and Slovenian (OHIP-SVN14) language by a forward-backward translation method. The psychometric properties of the OHIP-CRO14 and OHIP-SVN14 were tested. Concurrent validity was tested on 623 subjects (193 Croatian and 430 Slovenian), test-retest reliability on 115 subjects (55 Croatian and 60 Slovenian), internal consistency on 678 subjects (218 Croatian and 460 Slovenian), and responsiveness on 51 patients (21 Croatian and 30 Slovenian) in demand of treatment (toothache)., Results: Concurrent validity was confirmed by the association between the OHIP summary scores and self-reported oral health (correlation coefficients ranged from 0.40 to 0.60, P<0.001). Test-retest reliability showed high intraclass correlation (correlation coefficients, 0.79-0.94). Internal consistency showed high Cronbach alpha (0.77-0.91). Responsiveness was confirmed by a significant difference between the mean OHIP score at baseline and follow-up (P<0.001 for both Croatian and Slovenian patients) and high effect size in Croatian and Slovenian patients in demand of treatment (3.00 and 0.57, respectively)., Conclusion: Psychometric properties of OHIP-CRO14 and OHIP-SVN14 render these instruments suitable for the assessment of Oral Health Related Quality of Life in Croatia and Slovenia.

Sixty eight consecutive Slovenian patients with craniomandibular disorders (CMD) participated as the study group and another 400 adults from the regional population sample participated as the control group. The aim was to determine the impact of craniomandibular disorders to the self-perceived oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) and to compare the OHRQoL with a control group. The mean Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) summary scores were computed for all patients with the same diagnosis and for the same subgroups of the axis I according to the RDC/TMD exam protocol. The mean OHIP subscores for the seven domains of the OHIP questionnaire were compared between the study and the control group. Significantly higher OHIP summary scores and all the OHIP subscores were obtained in the CMD patients in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, in the CMD group, patients with two related diagnoses had significantly higher impaired OHRQoL than patients with a single one. The results revealed: 1. The CMD subjects are highly associated with the reduced OHRQoL, 2. Higher number of diagnoses of the axis I according to the RDC/TMD results in the more impaired OHRQoL, 3. The higher age of the patients revealed the more impaired OHRQoL.

This study aimed to analyze factors related to patients' general satisfaction with removable partial dentures (RPDs), such as esthetics, retention, speech, chewing, and comfort. A total of 103 patients with Kennedy Class I RPDs (34 to 82 years old; mean age: 63; 35 men, 68 women) assessed their satisfaction with dentures. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship among the factors. Significant correlations were found between general satisfaction and each of the individual components (P < .05). The patients' assessment of esthetics explained almost 50% of general satisfaction in both arches (P < .05). Esthetics, chewing, and speech had significant effects on the patients' general satisfaction with dentures.

This study aimed to determine how facial measurements explain the variability of dental proportions. The following measurements were obtained from 90 subjects: width and length of each maxillary anterior tooth, length of the nose, length of the upper lip, facial length (including the lengths of the facial thirds), intercanthal width, interalar width, intercommisural width while smiling, and maximum central incisor exposure while smiling. The combination of all facial measurements explained the variability of maxillary anterior teeth width/length ratios by only 20% to 38% in men and 16% to 27% in women. Within the population tested, the results suggest that the use of facial measurements for the selection of artificial denture teeth is generally inaccurate.

Eighty dentate students participated as a study group and another 74 as a control group. The aim was to determine a possibility to reconstruct maxillary frontal teeth dimensions by use of certain hard palate dimensions. The height (IH) and the incisal (IW), contact point (CtW) and cervical width (CW) of maxillary central incisors (MCI), hamular width (HW) and the distance between the incisive papilla and the palatine foveas (IP-FP) were measured on the maxillary casts. CtW of maxillary lateral incisors and canines were measured too. In the study group the ratios were computed: HW/IW (5.71), HW/CtW (5.69), HW/CW (5.51) and IP-FP/IH (4.76). These ratios were multiplied by incisor's dimensions (obtained from the control group) to calculate the hard palate dimensions. No significant differences were obtained between the calculated and the measured (study group) hard palate dimensions. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the HW and the Sum of contact-point widths of all maxillary frontal teeth (p > 0.05) in the both groups. The results revealed: 1. MCI width and height might be calculated by dividing dimensions of a patient's hard palate and appropriate ratio; 2. hamular width dimension can be used as a selection guide for the sum of contact-point widths of six maxillary frontal teeth.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the incidence of denture repairs in different districts of Croatia through the year of 2002. and to analyse the percentage of different repairs (relinings, simple repairs up to 2 elements and complicated repairs-more than 2 elements) in relation to prosthodontic teams. Data on the number of dentures, and the number and types of denture repairs delivered in the Croatian regions of Zagreb, Rijeka, Split and Karlovac were obtained from the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance for the whole of the year 2002. Information of the number of prosthodontic teams operating in those regions was also obtained. Proportionally more denture repairs were carried out in Karlovac (18%) than Split (5%). The smallest percantage of dentures that required relining was registered in Split and the highest in Rijeka (chi2 = 36.7, p < 0.01). The smallest percentage of simple repairs was registered in Rijeka and the highest in Split (chi2 = 24.3, p < 0.01). The smallest percentage of complicated repairs was registered in Split and the highest in Karlovac. In each region the proportion of denture repairs and types of repairs were correlated with a number of prosthodontic teams in that region. Karlovac had the smallest percentage of specialistic prosthodontic teams and the highest rate of denture repairs.

Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of removable denture (complete and partial) deliveries through Croatian Public Health Service (covered by insurance) in different districts of Croatia and to compare the two periods: 1996 to 2001 and 2002. Number of dentures delivered was obtained from Croatian Institute for Health Insurance for the district of Zagreb, Rijeka, Split and Karlovac. Information of the population living in the same districts was obtained from the National Institute for Statistics. The percentage of fully edentulous inhabitants varied from more than 13% to more than 20%, dependent on the district, while the percentage of partial edentulism reconstructed with removable partial dentures varied from more than 13% to more than 30%. The highest percentage (average for living population) of complete and removable partial dentures was delivered in Zagreb in the both observed periods. In all districts, the number of complete denture wearers increased in 2002, except in Split. The percentage of removable partial denture deliveries increased significantly in all examined districts. Partial and complete denture deliveries increased in higher percentage in population younger than 70 years than in older population. The percentage of metal framework removable partial dentures increased significantly in all districts. The prevalence of removable denture deliveries increased, especially in patients younger than 70 years. This was attributed not only to the consequences of the 1991-1995 war, the migrations from rural to urban areas, decrease of economic status, but also to the new rules of the Croatian Insurance System.

The aim of this study was to clinically determine the thickness of masticatory mucosa in the hard palate and tuberosity as potential donor sites for subepitelial grafts for ridge augmentation procedures of small and moderate alveolar ridge defects to improve aesthetics of a pontic area of fixed partial dentures. In 102 periodontally healthy fully dentate subjects the thickness of mucosa was assessed by bone sounding with a periodontal probe. Twenty measurement points were defined, 18 on hard palate located on 3 lines running at different distances parallel to gingival margin and 2 on tuberosity. Data were analysed to determine differences between gender and different body mass index using t-test. The mucosa on the hard palate was significantly thicker than on the tuberosity. The thickest mucosa was registered on the second and the third line behind canines and on all 3 lines behind the first premolar. These areas are recommended as potential donor sites. Males had significantly thicker mucosa than females (p < 0.01), except for the sites behind the first molar (p > 0.05) where the mucosa was the thinnest in the both gender, which was attributed to the protuberance of the palatal root of the first molar. The same was with the body mass index. Therefore canine-premolar palatal region is recommended for harvesting free subepitelial grafts for moderate augmentation of alveolar ridges for achieving optimal aesthetics of the pontic area.

Digital photography has become available to everybody. The aim of this study was to examine possibility of calculating the width of a missing central incisor using digital photographs. Digital photographs were obtained from 51 dentate subjects using a 3.1 Megapixel digital camera from various distances: 35 cm, 70 cm, 1 m and 1.5 m. For the calculation of the width of maxillary left central incisor (MLI), the following equation was used: MLI(calculated) = Photographic width of MLI x IPD / photographic IPD. Statistical analysis was made (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, dependent sample t-test, correlation and frequencies) using SPSS 10.0 for Windows. Results revealed no significant difference between the calculated MLI (70 cm, 1 m and 1.5 m distance) and actual MLI, however calculated MLI from 35 cm distance was significantly different from the actual MLI value (p < 0.01). The highest correlation was between calculated MLI (70 cm distance) and actual MLI. However, the highest percentage of results from a distance of 70 cm also fitted within +/- 0.3 mm; +/- 0.5 mm and +/- 1 mm difference from the actual MLI values. However, the results obtained from 1 m distance were also satisfactory. The technique of use of digital photography is of proven value in calculating the width of a maxillary central incisor. The photographs using a simple digital camera should be taken from a distance from 70 cm to 1 m. Saving such photographs in a dental office may eventually be helpful for calculating dimensions of artificial teeth.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the changes in bone mineral density of the mandible in complete and removable free-end saddle denture wearers over a 6-month period., Materials and Methods: Twenty removable partial denture patients and 20 complete denture wearers participated. Two dental panoramic radiographs were taken from each patient, the first prior to denture delivery and the second after 6 months of denture wearing. Bone mineral density measurements were performed on panoramic radiographs with a five-step copper stepwedge attached to each film cassette. Bone mineral density values of the measured regions of interest were expressed in equivalents of the stepwedge thickness (mm)., Results: The results revealed minor changes in bone mineral density values of the examined regions in the 6-month period. Under the distal end of complete denture saddles, the bone mineral density values decreased, whereas the values under the distal end of removable partial dentures increased. However, the difference between the first and second measurements was not significant. In each of the examined groups, the bone mineral density values at the gonion increased significantly by approximately 20%. This was attributed to the increased strain forces of the masseter muscle at the gonion after denture delivery., Conclusion: Significant increase of bone mineral density values was registered 2 mm above the gonion in both complete and removable partial denture wearers. Age and gender were not related to the bone mineral density changes over a 6-month period.

Statement of Problem: Wide normal variations have been found in the structure and density of the human skeleton, as well as of the mandible., Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine whether the mandibular bone mineral density is correlated with the classification of the structure of the inferior cortex on panoramic radiographs in complete and removable partial denture wearers., Materials and Methods: The mandibular cortical index of 136 randomly selected complete and removable partial denture wearers was evaluated via panoramic radiographs. The criteria for the mandibular cortical index were as follow: category 1, sharp endosteal margin of the inferior cortex; category 2, semilunar defects; and category 3, thick cortical residues on endosteal margin. Forty male patients (mean age 72.7; range 56 to 84 years) and 96 female patients (mean age 69.7; range 48 to 86 years) participated. With a copper stepwedge and DenEx 2001 computer program, the mandibular bone mineral density was investigated densitometrically on dental panoramic radiographs. Four experienced observers and 6 general dental practitioners made the observations on all panoramic radiographs. All bone mineral density values were expressed in equivalents of the actual stepwedge thickness. An independent t test (alpha =.05) was used., Results: The severity of changes in the mandibular cortex was significantly related to all measured mandibular bone mineral density values (t test: P<.01). Mandibular cortical index category 3 had significantly lower bone mineral density values in all measured regions of interest. Interobserver and intraobserver agreement in mandibular cortical index assessment was excellent., Conclusion: Patients having lower bone mineral density values in the mandible have much more porous cortical layer of the inferior border of the mandible.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of high-noble gold-platinum alloy samples (18 + 8 Rafinerija plemenitih kovina, Zagreb, Hrvatska), in a phosphate buffer pH 6.0. The aim of the study was to determine the type and amount of released metal ions from the alloy, and to evaluate how the time of exposure to the phosphate buffer pH 6.0 influences the release of metal ions from the alloy. Manufacturer samples 8.0 x 6.5 x 1.0 mm in size, with a surface area of 133 mm2 were used. The release of metal ions from the tested alloy was measured in ten time periods (after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days). Six samples were used (n = 6) for each time period that the alloy was in the solution, which means that a total of 60 samples was analyzed. Solutions, in which the samples were placed, were analyzed with the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES, JY 50P, Jobin-Ywon, France). It was found that four metal ions were released; zinc ions (Zn), chromium ions (Cr), copper ions (Cu) and iron ions (Fe). The most released ions from the gold-platinum alloy were those of zinc (Zn), and the least released were those of iron (Fe) (p < 0.01). The results of the study show that the time the tested alloy spent in the phosphate buffer pH 6.0 solution has an effect on the release of ions (p < 0.01).

Alveolar bone loss (RRR) is a continuous process following tooth extraction, more pronounced during the first few months after the tooth extraction than later. The RRR in the mandible is twice that of the maxilla during a 1-year period and the mandibular: maxillary resorption ratio increases further to 4:1. So far, the etiology of RRR has not been elucidated. It has been speculated that both systemic and local factors contribute. The aim of this study was to analyse the rate of RRR in five different regions of both jaws on lateral cephalograms of 100 complete denture wearers during a one-year period and to compare the rate of RRR between patients being edentulous over a different period of time and between patients with different body mass index. The height of residual ridges was measured on 5 different sites at the delivery of the dentures and a year later using a calibrated grid. The results revealed significant RRR in a one year period. Body mass index had no significant influence on the rate of RRR on any of the five examined sites of the maxilla or the mandible (p > 0.05), while the period of edentulousness had a significantly higher rate of resorption in first 3 sites of measurement (anteriorly) in patients being edentulous less than 1 year than in patients being edentulous for 1-10 years or for over 10 years (ANOVA, p < 0.05).

Background: A removable partial denture (RPD) is a common treatment available for restoration of partially edentulous ridges. Longitudinal studies indicate that RPDs have been associated with increased gingivitis, periodontitis, and abutment mobility., Methods: A total of 205 patients with RPDs participated in this study. There were 80 males and 125 females aged 38 to 89, with 123 maxillary and 138 mandibular RPDs. Patients were wearing existing RPDs for different periods ranging from 1 to 10 years. A two-part questionnaire was devised for this study. In the first part, patients answered questions on gender; age; smoking habits; denture age; denture wearing habits; mouth odor; and problems with food accumulating under the denture base, on the outside surface of the denture, and on the outside surface of remaining teeth after eating. The Kennedy classification, material, denture support, denture base shape, and number of teeth in contact, number of existing clasps, and occlusal rests were categorized. The quality of denture construction was also evaluated. In the second part of the questionnaire, baseline recordings of plaque (PI), gingival (GI), and calculus (CI) indexes were made, and Tarbet index (TI), as well as probing depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), and tooth mobility (TM) were measured, both on abutment and non-abutment teeth., Results: Significant differences (P <0.01) were noted for PI, Cl, GI, PD, TM, and GR between abutment and non-abutment teeth, with abutment teeth showing more disease., Conclusions: RPD design plays an important role in the state of the periodontium. Appropriate design and good oral hygiene may decrease the appearance of periodontal disease.