Testing New Vertical Dimension Of Occlusion Prior To Restorative Treatment Of Tooth Wear
Testing New Vertical Dimension Of Occlusion Prior To Restorative Treatment Of Tooth Wear
This study is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The aim of the study is to evaluate the
 necessity to test the desired increased Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO) prior to
 restorative treatment of generalized tooth wear.

 Tooth wear is a physiological phenomenon, that when becoming pathological, can result in
 functional problems such as pain, reduced quality of life and esthetic impairment.
 Restorative treatment should be discussed with patients with severe or pathological tooth
 wear.

 The restorative treatment of generalized tooth wear includes restoration of teeth,
 separately, in increased VDO. The increment of VDO is based upon clinical parameters such as
 the amount of natural tooth tissue, the possibility to lengthen the anterior teeth in regard
 to an acceptable esthetics outcome, and the Free Way Space (FWS). The FWS is the
 intermaxillary space when the masticatory-muscles-complex is relaxed.

 Traditionally, it is believed that adapting to a new VDO results in clinical difficulties
 such as different speech, pain of the Temporo Mandibular Joint (TMJ), masticatory muscle
 pain, and increased masticatory muscles activity. The latter could result in an increased
 bite force and (possibly) an increased failure rate of restorations. Some operators, then,
 prefer to test the increment of VDO prior to restorative treatment to check if patients can
 adjust to the new VDO. This raises the question if the needed increment of VDO to restore
 worn dentitions should be checked prior to restorative treatment. The hypothesis in this
 study is that testing the needed increment of VDO prior to restorative treatment does not
 improve the restorative treatment.

 Patients with generalized severe tooth wear were included and restoratively treated with
 composite restorations. Prior to restorative treatment, patients were randomized to either
 receiving an acrylic Removable Appliance (RA) or no RA. The RA was worn for 3 weeks prior to
 restorative treatment and included the intended increment of VDO. These patients were asked
 to wear the RA during the whole day, except when eating.

 After restorative treatment, patients revisited our dental clinic after 1 month and after 1
 year. Quality of life was assessed with questionnaires. FWS was assessed clinically.
 Restorations were checked for clinical acceptability, including small materials fractures.
This study is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The aim of the study is to evaluate the
 necessity to test the increased Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO) prior to restorative
 treatment of generalized tooth wear.

 Tooth wear is a physiological phenomenon, that when becoming pathological, can result in
 functional problems such as pain, reduced quality of life and esthetic impairment.
 Restorative treatment should be discussed in with patients with severe or pathological tooth
 wear.

 The restorative treatment includes restoration of all teeth, separately, in increased VDO.
 The increment of VDO is based upon clinical parameters as the amount of loss of natural tooth
 tissue, the possibility to lengthen the maxillary anterior teeth in regard to an acceptable
 esthetic outcome, and the Free Way Space (FWS). The FWS is the intermaxillary space when the
 masticatory-muscles-complex is relaxed.

 Traditionally, it is believed that adapting to a new VDO results in clinical difficulties
 such as different speech, pain of the Temporo Mandibular Joint (TMJ), masticatory muscle
 pain, and increased masticatory muscles activity. The latter could result in an increased
 bite force and an increased failure rate of restorations. Some operators, then, prefer to
 test the increment of VDO prior to restorative treatment to check if patients can adjust to
 the new VDO. This raises the question if the needed increment of VDO to restore worn
 dentitions should be checked prior to restorative treatment. The hypothesis in this study is
 that testing the needed increment of VDO prior to restorative treatment does not improve the
 adaptation to the restorative treatment.

 The research was registered in the ClinicalTrial.gov register after the study had been
 completed. This RCT is part of RCT with a 2x2 design. The first branch was used to randomize
 patients to certain restorative protocol, which was enlisted in ClinicalTrials.gov
 (NCT04326816). The second branch was designed to test the VDO prior to restorative treatment
 of generalized severe tooth wear. Approval of the local Medical-Ethics-committee (METC) for
 the 2x2 RCT was sought and granted in 2010. Approval was granted to a protocol in which no
 Data Safety Monitoring Board was appointed as research standards were different in 2010. The
 study was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and in
 accordance with the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO).

 Sample size calculation base done by a biostatistician. Calculations were completed based
 upon the first branch of the 2x2 RCT. A group size of 75 patients was established. Anonymized
 paper case report forms were completed at each moment and stored. A separate digital database
 was made and used for data analysis. Data analysis consisted of descriptive analysis of
 failed restorations and paired t-Test with a significance level of 5%. Serious Adverse Events
 (SAE) report files and Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reaction (SUSAR) report files
 were present and could be, when necessary, filled in and applied to the local METC.

 Patients were recruited as General Dental Practitioners (GDP) referred patients with
 generalized tooth wear to the academic clinic. Patients were seen by 1 operator and were
 assessed for eligibility. Patients received a written informed consent and were included if
 the informed consent was signed. Patients received an identification number C1 to C49. A
 randomization was performed on the use of a removable appliance to test the VDO prior to
 restorative treatment. Randomization with a block size of eight was performed. The random
 sequence was put into envelopes. The investigator opened the envelope in their numbered order
 and assigned the patient to the corresponding group immediately after the consent was
 acquired.

 A laboratory-made acrylic Removable Appliance (RA) was evaluated to test the adaptation of
 the patient to the increment of VDO. In the control group, no RA was prescribed prior to
 restorative treatment. In the test group, a RA was prescribed prior to restorative treatment.
 Patients were asked to wear the RA for 24h per day, with the exception for when eating,
 during a period of 3 weeks. Thereafter, the acceptance was checked using a questionnaire.

 Data collection was done at predetermined moments i.e., baseline, immediately after
 treatment, 1 month after treatment, 1 year after treatment. During the recall moments, Oral
 Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) was assessed using questionnaires, as was the FWS. In
 addition, restorations were checked based on clinical acceptability and all failures were
 recorded.

 No specific Quality assurance plan to address data validation and registry procedures,
 including site monitoring and auditing was made prior to the onset of the study.

 Data checks were completed by 1 researcher. Source data verification to assess the accuracy,
 completeness, and representativeness was completed by 1 researcher. Medical records
 (Electronic patient files), digital photos made at recall appointments, and paper case report
 forms were inspected. No specific source data verification plan was made prior to the onset
 of the study.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Generalized moderate to severe tooth wear with patient demand for treatment

 -  Full dental arches, one diastema due to one missing posterior tooth was allowed

 -  Estimated need for an increase in VDO of at least 3 mm in the first molar region

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Limited mouth opening

 -  (History of) Temporomandibular dysfunction

 -  Advanced periodontitis, deep caries lesions, or multiple large restorations including
 teeth with endodontic problems

 Patients with specific individual risk factors, such as parafunctional habits of
 grinding/clenching or patients with Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD), were not
 excluded.