However on the buccal surface of the central incisor region the strain values of the Bl group (bone loss) were similar to the values of the Bl/SpW group (bone loss, wire splint), and significantly higher than the other groups. Strain values obtained at the 100 and 150 N load levels were not significantly affected by the tooth region or mandible surface. All groups showed significantly lower strains than the Bl group (bone loss), except the wire

splint (Bl/SpW group), which did not produce a significant reduction in strain values at the 150 N load level. Strains obtained when splints were made with composite resin and adhesive systems (Bl/SpCR, Bl/SpWCR, Bl/SpFgInt, and Bl/SpFgExt) were not significantly different from the control group (Cont). The Bl/SpW group (wire splint) showed no significant differences when compared to the Bl/SpWCR and Bl/SpCR

UK-371804 order groups at any of the three load levels. Rehabilitation of masticatory ability in patients with reduced bone support is a complex challenge in dentistry.12 Extraction of teeth and replacement with complete dentures or implant-supported selleck products prostheses may not always be the best treatment option for severely advanced periodontal destruction. Splinting and periodontal treatment may be a more appropriate method to regain good function in cases of reduced periodontal tissue support.12 Based on the premise that tooth stabilization with splinting should restore original biomechanical conditions that allow rehabilitation, strain measurements were carried out in this study to first establish the effect of bone loss and subsequently assess recovery with splinting. The results of this study supported the hypotheses that bone loss in the anterior mandible increased the strains on the remaining bone support, whilst subsequent splinting reduced the strains. Furthermore, it was shown

that the magnitude of the measured strain values was influenced by the tooth region, mandible surface, these and load level. The clinical significance of these strain values is that they characterize the biomechanical conditions in the bone tissue. Strains in the bone tissue represent the deformation response of the mandible to occlusal loading. Deformation response depends on the combined effect of shape, tissue properties, and loading. To yield relevant results in this in vitro study, it was therefore important that these three factors closely approximated a clinical situation. The shape of the anterior human supporting alveolar bone was carefully replicated in the polystyrene model. Polystyrene was chosen because it has a similar elastic modulus as cortical bone,26 which predominates in the anterior human mandible. Blood, humidity, and other tissue characteristics that may also affect strains in bone tissue18 could not be simulated.