A clinical evaluation of neutral zone in complete denture patients Singh Gursharan, Reader Address for Correspondence: Dr. Gursharan Singh, Reader Dept of Prosthodontics Bhojia Dental College & Hospital Budh(Baddi) TehNalagarh, DistSolan HP 173205.
Online published on 1 October, 2011. Abstract Purpose A large number of patients in the present era of implant dentistry need stable complete denture prostheses. Recording of neutral zone is essential for stability of complete denture prostheses. The present study hadtwo objectives. The first objective was to study the accuracy of reproducibility of Neutral Zone by two commonly available dental materials, tissue conditioner and Zinc oxide Eugenol paste. The second objective was to study whether any significant difference existed in the dimension of the neutral zone between patients having prominent residual ridges and patients having resorbed residual ridges. Material and Methods Twelve healthy denture wearers with Class 1 jaw relations were selected out of which first six had prominent and the other six, flat alveolar ridges. Neutral zone was recorded on the posterior aspects of the oral cavity on a specially created acrylic resin record blocks. Swallowing method was used to record the neutral zone, five times by each material. Bucco-lingual dimension of the neutral zone was recorded at predetermined reference points for all individuals with the help of a micrometre. Results Data obtained has been tabulated (Table I to VII). Data was subjected to statistical analysis. Co-efficient of variance was less for viscogel tissue conditioner (0.76%) as compared with Zinc oxide Eugenol paste (1.22%). Statistically insignificant result was obtained when data from fixed reference point for prominent and flat mandibular ridges was analysed. Conclusion Tissue conditioner material records neutral zone more accurately as compared with Zinc oxide eugenol paste despite addition of modifier to enhance setting time and flow. Neutral zone dimension is not influenced by shapeof the residual alveolar ridge (prominent or flat). Top Keywords Neutral zone, denture stability, tissue conditioner, zinc oxide eugenol paste, resorbed mandibular ridge. Top |