title: The influence of mandibular implant-retained overdentures in masticatory efficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the masticatory efficiency of patients rehabilitated with conventional dentures (CDs) or implant-retained mandibular overdentures.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Despite the evident benefits of implants on mastication as assessed by subjective patient-based outcomes, the extent of implant overdenture treatment effect on food comminution is not well established.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised clinical trial was carried out with 29 completely edentulous patients divided into two groups. The first group was rehabilitated with a mandibular overdenture retained by two splinted implants with bar-clip system, while the second group was rehabilitated with a mandibular CD. Both groups also were rehabilitated with maxillary CDs. Masticatory efficiency and patient satisfaction were assessed 3 months after denture insertion. Masticatory efficiency was evaluated through the colorimetric method with the beads as the artificial test-food. Comparisons for masticatory efficiency and patient satisfaction were performed using Student's t-test (α = 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant statistical difference was found for masticatory efficiency (p = 0.198). Patient overall satisfaction was significantly higher for the mandibular overdenture (p < 0.001). In addition, mandibular overdenture patients were significantly more satisfied with chewing experience (p < 0.05) and retention of the lower denture (p < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that mandibular overdenture significantly improves chewing experience, although limited effect on masticatory efficiency has been observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. saudeoral@fop.unicamp.br
authors.forename: Arcelino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farias Neto
authors.forename: Brunna Moreira de Farias
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Rafael Lopes
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Xitara
authors.forename: Adriano Rocha
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Germano
authors.forename: Jaiane Augusta Medeiros
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Wilson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mestriner Junior
authors.forename: Adriana da Fonte Porto
authors.initials: Ada F
authors.lastname: Carreiro
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D000368:Aged; D003124:Colorimetry; D004396:Coloring Agents; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003779:Denture Design; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower; D003827:Denture, Complete, Upper; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010368:Pectins / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates; D004396:Coloring Agents; D015921:Dental Implants; C477020:Eudragit E100; D011108:Polymers; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D010368:Pectins