Occlusion and Nutrition after Peadiatric Prosthetic Treatment

Abstract

Nutritional and well-balanced food intake is of utmost importance for children's proper physical development and growth. Changes in masticatory structures are likely to cause significant change in both children's and adult's diet. The aim of this study is to examine the occlusion and the intake of macronutrients in children who have undergone dental treatment and restoration of the teeth affected by caries and its complications with different types of aesthetic crowns. The study included 103 children, which are prosthetically treated with crown structures and divided into four age groups. The restoration of the occlusal balance after the completion of the prosthetic treatment was established by means of a new generation of digital recording system (OccluSense by Bausch, Germany). A 24-hour diary on consumed foods and liquids was taken from children and their parents. Data is analyzed and processed statistically. The obtained results in all studied diagrams showed an increase in the occlusal forces bilaterally in the distal areas of the dentition in the anterior-posterior direction. Protein and carbohydrate intake by the tested children corresponded to the recommended range of 15.2±3.7 E% and 46.6±7.8 E%. Increased fat intake of 38.1±7.5 E%, as well as fibre consumption below the recommended values (13.6 g to 18.6 g) have also been observed. Dental restoration of heavily damaged children's teeth using prosthetic dentistry methods provides the opportunity for a normal intake of the main macronutrients.