title: The influence of implant number and attachment type on maximum bite force of mandibular overdentures: a retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assessment of the influence of such factors as attachment type, number of implants, gender and age of patients on maximum bite force (MBF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-two edentulous patients (32 females, 30 males; aged 64.03 ± 10.07 years, range 42-90 years) with mandibular implant overdentures with various attachment types were included in the study and their MBFs were recorded. The results were evaluated statistically at a significance level of p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MBF in male patients was found to be statistically significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in female patients. No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were found with respect to age groups, attachment types and number of implants supporting the mandibular overdentures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study, it is concluded that independent of the number applied, dental implants increase MBF in edentulous patients. While males show higher bite force, patient age and attachment type seem not to play an important role.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Prosthodontics, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bilhan
authors.forename: Onur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Geckili
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mumcu
authors.forename: Altug
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cilingir
authors.forename: Ergun
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bozdag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001732:Bite Force; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003779:Denture Design; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants