Final answer:
The most frequent cause of tooth contact (clicking) in patients with complete dentures during speaking is excessive occlusal vertical dimension. This condition creates too much space between the dentures leading to increased jaw strain and TMJ issues, which result in the clicking sound.
Step-by-step explanation:
In patients wearing complete dentures, the most frequent cause of tooth contact (clicking) during speaking is excessive occlusal vertical dimension (C.). This occurs when the vertical space between the upper and lower sets of teeth is too great, leading to increased strain on the jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ), causing the clicking noise during speech. Ensuring a proper occlusal vertical dimension is crucial for the comfort and functionality of the dentures.
Dislocation of the TMJ can happen from over-extending the jaw, such as when taking a large bite or a blow to the jaw. TMJ disorder can be painful and lead to symptoms like headache, difficulty chewing, and jaw lock. Treatment may include pharmacologic agents or bite guards. In relevance to denture wearers, incorrect centric relation position, lack of vertical overlap, and unbalanced occlusion may also contribute to dysfunction, but the most common cause of clicking is excessive occlusal vertical dimension.