Bite force and oral function in patients with osseointegrated oral implants

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Masticatory system dysfunction significantly impacts quality of life.
• Osseointegrated oral implants offer a restorative solution for missing teeth.
• Patient satisfaction with implant-supported prostheses is a key outcome measure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the functional capacity of the masticatory system in patients with osseointegrated oral implants.
• To assess patient satisfaction with implant reconstructions.
• To compare bite force levels in implant patients with those using removable dentures.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 19 patients (13 women, 6 men; aged 39-68) treated with osseointegrated oral implants.
• Random selection from 165 patients treated within the last 7 years (average 3.5 years post-treatment).
• Clinical examination for masticatory system dysfunction and recording of three bite-force levels (gentle, chewing, maximal).

Main Results:

• High patient satisfaction reported with implant reconstructions, noting significant functional improvement.
• 18 out of 19 patients exhibited no or only mild symptoms of masticatory dysfunction.
• Mean bite force values recorded: gentle 15.7 N, chewing 50.1 N, maximal 144.4 N.
• Maximal bite force values in implant patients were substantially higher than in individuals with removable dentures.

Conclusions:

• Osseointegrated oral implants restore masticatory function effectively.
• Implant reconstructions lead to high patient satisfaction and improved quality of life.
• Implant patients demonstrate robust bite force capabilities, surpassing those with removable dentures.