In vivo load measurement for evaluating the splinting effects of implant-supported superstructures: a pilot study

The purpose of this in vivo study was to evaluate the biomechanical effects of splinting of implant-supported superstructures using piezoelectric transducers to measure the three-dimensional forces exerted on implants supporting fixed superstructures. Measuring devices were set into the implant fixtures at the mandibular right second premolar and first molar. During clenching, force magnitudes were allocated more evenly to the two implants if they were splinted compared with the unsplinted control implants. However, this equalization of load distribution was not apparent during wax biting. Splinting of implant-supported fixed superstructures affects the force exerted on implants, especially during clenching.