Computerized Occlusal Analysis of Mini Dental Implants-Retained Mandibular Overdentures: A One-Year Prospective Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: Occlusal analysis is a substantial tool for the functional improvement evaluation after using implant-retained overdenture comparing to complete denture without dental implant retaining. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate occlusal pattern, chewing force distribution in mini dental implant-retained mandibular overdentures by computerized occlusal analysis system and to compare patient satisfaction after one-year function. METHODS: Thirty-one patients wearing complete dentures were included in the study. Prior to mini dental implant-retained treatment, all patients were assessed for occlusion and force distribution using computerized occlusal analysis system (T-Scan((R)) ), then all patients received two mini dental implants-retained mandibular overdentures. Mini dental implants were immediately loaded using low vertical profile attachments (Equator((R)) ). T-Scan((R)) was used to evaluate chewing force and force distribution at one day, three months, six months, and 12 months. The patient satisfactions before implant placement and after one year were evaluated using questionnaires which included satisfaction of denture quality, psychosocial behavior and chewing efficiency modified from the validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Clinical evaluation of two mini dental implants-retained mandibular overdentures showed 100% success rate after one year. T-Scan((R)) demonstrated that maximum occlusal contact force increased continuously. The force distribution; the tooth contact number increased over the period. At one-year follow-up, overall patient satisfaction was significantly greater than before receiving mini dental implant treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Using computerized occlusal analysis, mini dental implants improves complete denture function significantly in terms of maximum occlusal contact force, tooth contact number without the impairment of force distribution. The oral function of the patients has been enhanced.