Comparison of Treatment Outcomes in Partially Edentulous Patients with Implant-Supported Fixed Prostheses and Removable Partial Dentures

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare masticatory performance, occlusal force, and oral health- related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with mandibular distal-extension edentulism between those with implant-supported fixed prostheses (ISFPs) and those with removable partial dentures (RPDs), and to evaluate relationships among them. Materials and Methods: Subjects were recruited from patients using ISFPs or RPDs for mandibular distal-extension edentulism. Masticatory performance was evaluated based on the glucose extracted from chewed gummy jelly. Occlusal force was measured with a pressure-sensitive sheet, and data were subjected to computer analysis. The Japanese version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-J) was used to evaluate OHRQoL. The masticatory performance, occlusal force, and OHIP-J scores of the ISFP and RPD groups were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The relationships among the variables were analyzed using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed with the OHIP-J score as a dependent variable. Results: Nineteen patients with ISFPs and 25 patients with RPDs participated in this study. No significant difference was observed between the two groups with regard to masticatory performance and occlusal force. The OHIP-J score was significantly lower in the ISFP group than in the RPD group. The OHIP-J score had no significant correlation with masticatory performance, but was significantly correlated with occlusal force and the prosthetic method. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that younger age, RPDs, and lower occlusal force were significantly associated with a higher OHIP-J summary score. Conclusion: The present results suggest that the difference in masticatory performance and occlusal force between ISFPs and RPDs is small, but ISFPs are superior to RPDs with regard to OHRQoL in patients with mandibular distal-extension edentulism. In addition, there appears to be a slight correlation between the OHIP-J and occlusal force in these patients.