Occlusal perception of thickness in patients with bridges on osseointegrated oral implants

Perception of thickness was estimated in subjects with osseointegrated oral implant bridges (OIB), complete denture wearers and subjects with complete natural dentitions. The test was performed with factory-produced aluminum foil, 9, 20, 50, 100 and 150 micrometers thick, in the regions of the right second premolars, the canines and the central incisors. Occlusal perception did not differ between the three regions in any of the groups. Certain perceptiveness (greater than 80% of tests correct) was found at the 20 micrometers level in subjects with natural dentitions, at the 50 micrometers level in OIB subjects and at the 100 micrometers level in subjects with a complete denture in one or both jaws. It is concluded that partial or complete lack of periodontal receptors is compensated for by other perceptive organs and that implant bridge therapy ad modum Brånemark partly restores occlusal sensibility.