Comparison of Masticatory Efficiency Between Single-Piece Implant-Supported Crowns and Conventional Fixed Partial...

Single posterior tooth loss impairs masticatory function, dietary choices, and quality of life. This prospective clinical study compared masticatory efficiency and functional adaptation between single-piece implant-supported crowns and conventional tooth-supported fixed partial dentures (FPDs) over a 12-month period.

Sixty partially edentulous patients (aged 25-60 years) requiring single posterior tooth replacement were consecutively allocated into two equal groups (n = 30 each). Group 1 received single-piece titanium implants with cemented monolithic zirconia crowns after three-month osseointegration. Group 2 received conventional three-unit metal-ceramic FPDs. Masticatory efficiency was assessed at three-, six-, and 12-month post-loading using a standardized almond comminution test. The chewed particles were dried and sieved, and the masticatory performance (MP%) was calculated. Data were analyzed using independent-sample t-tests for intergroup comparisons and repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post-hoc tests for intragroup changes (p < 0.05).

All 60 patients completed the study with comparable baseline characteristics. The implant group showed significantly higher MP than the FPD group at all time points: 28.4 ± 4.2% vs. 22.6 ± 3.8% at three months (p = 0.001), 32.1 ± 3.7% vs. 25.4 ± 3.9% at six months (p = 0.001), and 35.7 ± 3.9% vs. 28.3 ± 4.1% at 12 months (p = 0.001). Both groups improved significantly over time, with Bonferroni tests confirming significant gains between all the intervals in each group. The implant group showed greater improvement throughout the follow-up period.

Single-piece implant-supported crowns provided superior masticatory efficiency and faster functional adaptation than conventional FPDs for single posterior tooth replacement.