Neutral Zone 개념과 Stereographic Record를 이용한 총의치 제작

Clinical application of neutral zone and stereographic record in complete denture

The success of complete denture prosthesis is to satisfy three basic requirements for the edentulous patient : maximum comfort, efficiency, and esthetic appearance. This can be achieved only if the dentures are both stable and retentive. When the residual alveolar ridge has resorbed significantly, stability and retention are more dependent on the correct position of the teeth and external surfaces of the denture. The stability and retention of the denture can be improved by locating the denture in the neutral zone and reproducing exact mandibular border movement for balanced occlusion. The neutral zone philosophy is based upon the concept that there exists a specific area where the musculature function will not unseat the denture in the mouth. In here, forces generated by the tongue are neutralized by the forces generated by the lips and cheeks. One of the simplest methods for recording border movements in three dimensions is to make stereographic record of condylar movement. Stereographs are made in the mouth during mandibular movement with intraoral clutches and central bearing point, and used in dictating the condylar movement on the articulator later by generating the condylar paths in doughy acrylic resin. Its procedure is simpler and more convenient than that of Pantograph. In this clinical report, we introduce the concept of neutral zone and stereograph in complete denture fabrication.