Sliding Plates on Complete Dentures as a Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorder: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

This work presents a case report of a woman, aged 62, who presented with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The patient reported pain in the masticatory system and examination showed a reduction in the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD). She was treated with complete dentures Incorporating a modification to the posterior regions developed by the authors and which were termed “sliding plates.” Through analysis of photographs taken of the patient prior to the extraction of the patient's natural dentition, sliding plates were utilized to reestablish the OVD. The sliding plates also allowed for unrestricted eccentric mandibular movements, thereby accelerating the neuromuscular deprogramming and making it possible for the mandible to adopt a more physiologic position. The dentures reduced the pain and were well-accepted by the patient. Therefore, sliding plates may be of great benefit to completely edentulous patients with painful symptoms that result from alterations in the OVD and inappropriate condylar positioning.

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Notes on contributors

Maria Cristina Candelas Zuccolotto

Dr. Maria Cristina Candelas Zuccolotto received her D.D.S. degree from the Federal University of Uberlândia in 1982. In 1996 she obtained a Master's degree in Oral Rehabilitation from the School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP) at the Ribeirão Preto Campus. She is currently studying for her Ph.D. at the same University and is an Assistant Professor of complete dentures and occlusion at the University of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP).

Krunislave Antonio Nóbilo

Dr. Krunislave Antonio Nóbilo received his D.D.S. degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas in 1955. In 1964, he obtained a Ph.D. from the same University. Currently, he is an associate professor at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) at the São Paulo-Piracicaba Campus.

Luiz de Jesus Nunes

Dr. Luiz de Jesus Nunes received his D.D.S. degree in the School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP)-Ribeirão Preto Campus in 1965. In 1973 he earned a Ph.D. He is currently an associate professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the same university and also an Associate Professor at the Cruzeiro do Sul University-UNICSUL, São Paulo.

Takami Hirono Hotta

Dr, Takami Hirono Hotta received her D.D.S. degree in 1986 from the School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP)-Bauru Campus. She works as a dental surgeon at the Service of Occlusion and Disorders of the Temporomandibular Joint, University of São Paulo (USP)-Ribeirão Preto Campus from 1990 to the present. She received a Master's degree in Oral Rehabilitation and is currently studying for a Ph.D. at the same university. Dr. Hotta is an Assistant Professor of occlusion at the University of Franca (UNIFRAN).