Early in contrast to recent methods to evaluate masticatory function in implant patients

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Oral Rehabilitation
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Assessing masticatory function is crucial for evaluating the success of dental implant treatments.
• Early methods focused on bite force and chewing efficiency, while recent approaches incorporate broader functional and psychological assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and compare early and recent methodologies for evaluating masticatory function in patients undergoing dental implant treatment.
• To highlight advancements in assessing oral function and their impact on patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of three early Swedish doctoral theses on osseointegration and one recent thesis on oral implant function.
• PubMed search for studies on masticatory function in implant patients published within the last three years.

Main Results:

• Early studies utilized questionnaires, bite force, and chewing efficiency assessments.
• Subsequent and recent studies incorporated dietary analysis, psychological evaluations, occlusal perception, and motor abilities.
• Overwhelming subjective and objective improvements in oral functions and quality of life were observed post-implant treatment.
• New methods using custom equipment to monitor bite force, jaw movements, and muscle activity revealed the role of periodontal mechanoreceptors.

Conclusions:

• Existing methods for assessing masticatory function remain adequate with minor modifications.
• Novel methods offer deeper insights into masticatory functions and hold promise for future prosthodontic research.