Role of Oral Stereognosis in Designing Complete Dentures

Positioning of posterior teeth in complete dentures is conventionally determined either by arranging them over the crest of the ridge or by keeping them in the neutral zone. Adopting ridge crest as a parameter makes the whole process simple but its not sure whether that position lies within the neutral zone. Neutral zone is considered to be an equilibrium position so that the dentures are not destabilized by the action of adjoining muscles. Process to find out the neutral zone is laborious and hence operators avoid it. Incorporation of a functional element in finding out the position of the posterior teeth is highly desirable and use of stereognosis seems to be a valid option. An individual perceives the shapes of the objects by the effective use of tongue. Normally this ability is used to position food particles approximately over the teeth. Few studies have been conducted on stereognostic ability of both dentulous and edentulous individuals belonging to different age groups. Interestingly local factors in the oral cavity do not affect the stereognostic ability. In this context it was thought to use stereognosis as a diagnostic tool in determining the position of posterior teeth.