A Simplified Method to Identify Patient Face Type for a Prosthodontic Treatment Plan

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com occlusal load, scientific literature describes patients more prone to overload as individuals who present parafunctions [12-14]. However, patients with parafunctions do not necessarily present load forces intense enough to cause damage to the periodontal tissues and teeth. On the contrary, brachyfacial individuals, even in the absence of parafunctions, develop considerably intense bite forces. These jeopardize the integrity of conservative and prosthetic rehabilitation and provoke a broad range of complications [15]. Considering the face form of the patient in prosthodontic treatment planning may lead to a better clinical outcome if a relationship between face form and bite force is established. An individual bite force level can be determined with complex electronic devices [6]. These instruments are not of easy use in the clinical practice and it is possible to use clinical alternative methods to recognize brachyfacial patients. The aim of the present study is to provide a diagnostic protocol that easily and safely allows recognizing high occlusal risk brachyfacial patients in order to implement a prosthetic therapy that is able to limit possible biological or mechanical damage caused by excessive bite forces.