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Mechanosensation and maximum bite force in edentulous patients rehabilitated with bimaxillary implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses
Author(s) -
Luraschi Julien,
Schimmel Martin,
Bernard JeanPierre,
Gallucci German O.,
Belser Urs,
Müller Frauke
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
clinical oral implants research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.407
H-Index - 161
eISSN - 1600-0501
pISSN - 0905-7161
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2011.02283.x
Subject(s) - dentistry , bite force quotient , dentures , implant , quadrant (abdomen) , prosthesis , medicine , orthodontics , dental prosthesis , surgery
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.