[Gnathology in implant-supported fixed restoration in edentulous mandible]

This study aims to investigate the occlusal and myoelectric characteristics of implant-supported fixed denture in the mandibular region and provide reference for the design of fixed restoration.

Sixty edentulous patients with implant-supported fixed denture were selected and divided into three groups: group A, 20 cases with implant-supported fixed restoration in the maxillary region; group B, 20 cases with natural dentition, and group C, 20 cases with removable partial denture. The T-scan 8.0 digital occlusion analysis system was used to evaluate the occlusal characteristics of patients in the three groups at intercuspal, protrusion, and left and right lateral positions. Electromyography was used to analyze the myoelectric amplitude and bilateral asymmetry index of the anterior temporalis and masseter of the three groups in different states such as resting and clenching. The relationship between occlusion and myoelectricity was also investigated.

In the occlusion analysis by T-scan, the occlusion time, the balance of left and right bite force, the left and right asymmetry of the occlusion center, the trajectory of central occlusion force, and the disclusion time were higher in group C than in groups A and B (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the anterior and posterior asymmetry of the occlusion center and percentage of bite force at anterior region among the three groups. In the analysis of myoelectricity, the myoelectric amplitude at resting state and the asymmetry index of masticatory muscles in group C were higher than those in groups A and B (P<0.05). The myoelectric amplitude during clenching in groups A and B groups was higher than that in group C (P<0.05).

In implant-supported fixed restoration at edentulous mandibular, when maxillary includes the removable partial denture, degree of occlusal instability and left and right asymmetry of occlusion center are greater than those with the natural dentition and implant-supported fixed denture at maxillary. The myoelectricity is closely related to occlusion. The removable partial denture can increase the myoelectric activity and reduce the potential of the masticatory muscle. The asymmetry of bilateral myoelectricity is related to the occlusion imbalance.