Effect of occlusal wear on bone loss and Periotest value of dental implants.
OBJECTIVE
Occlusal overload may contribute to the loss of osseointegration of oral implants, so some clinicians are reluctant to place implants in patients with signs of bruxism. This study evaluated the effect of occlusal wear as a probable sign of bruxism on bone loss and implant stability.


METHODS
The study investigated 379 patients who had worn implant-retained or implant-supported restorations for many years. Occlusal wear, patient age and gender, time of prosthetic loading, jaw, location in the dental arch, implant diameter, prosthesis construction, occlusal material, periimplantitis, and loosening of the prosthetic construction were recorded. One implant from each patient was selected for radiographic and Periotest measurements. The implant with the highest bone resorption was chosen. A forward stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the effect of the explanatory variables on Periotest value and radiographic bone loss.


RESULTS
The statistical models could account for part of the variation in bone loss rate and Periotest value. Some influence of time of loading, jaw, and implant diameter on bone loss or Periotest value was formally established. Occlusal wear failed to have any statistical impact on vertical annual bone loss rate or Periotest value.


CONCLUSIONS
This study gave no indication that implants in patients with occlusal wear have an increased bone loss rate or Periotest value.
Engel
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E
Department of Prosthodontics, Dental School, University of Tübingen, Osianderstrasse 2-8, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. eva-maria.engel@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Gomez-Roman
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G
Axmann-Krcmar
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000209:etiology; D002012:Bruxism / Q000150:complications*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D019554:Dental Restoration Wear; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014072:Tooth Abrasion / Q000150:complications*
D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials