Mechanosensation and maximum bite force in edentulous patients rehabilitated with bimaxillary implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses

Objective The aim of this study was to compare tactile sensitivity and maximum voluntary bite force ( MBF ) of edentulous patients with implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses ( IFDP / IFDP s) to those wearing complete dentures ( CG ‐ CC ) and fully dentate subjects ( CG ‐ DD ). Methods Seven edentulous subjects with IFDP / IFDP s, seven with CG ‐ CC and seven CG ‐ DD , matched for age and gender, participated in the pilot experiments. Three active tactile thresholds (absolute, 50% and 100%) were evaluated by means of copper foils of decreasing thickness (12 foils: 700–5 μm). The passive thresholds were measured in six different sites per quadrant using a custom‐made computer‐supported strain gauge. MBF was evaluated electronically using the central‐bearing point method. Results Active tactile thresholds were different between all three groups of dental state ( K ruskal– W allis: absolute P  = 0.0156; 50% P  = 0.0019; 100% P  = 0.0059). The active tactile sensitivity with IFDP / IFDP s was between those of the two other groups, except for the 100% threshold. The median passive tactile threshold was higher in patients with IFDP / IFDP s (5.7 N) than in CG ‐ CC (1.7 N) and CG ‐ DD (0.5 N) ( K ruskal– W allis P  < 0.0005). MBF did not differ significantly between the dental states (ns). Conclusion IFDP / IFDP s are a valuable treatment option for restoring edentulous patients. Limitations concerning their physiological integration into the orofacial system are mainly related to a poor passive rather than active tactile sensitivity or maximum bite force.