title: Implant placement under existing removable dental prostheses and its effect on masticatory performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this within-subject study was to evaluate the outcome with implant-tooth-supported removable partial dental prostheses (RPDP group) and implant-supported removable complete dental prostheses (edentulous group) in terms of masticatory performance and self-assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients participated in this prospective clinical study (RPDP group: n = 12; edentulous group: n = 18). The prostheses were supported in strategically advantageous regions by placing implants with ball attachments and corresponding matrices in the existing dentures. The masticatory performance was evaluated with the Swallowing Threshold Test Index (STTI), the number of chewing strokes, and the time needed until swallowing at pre-treatment and 6 weeks after integration of ball attachments. Additionally, patients scored chewing satisfaction before and after implantation on a visual analogue scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The STTI increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) after implant therapy in the edentulous group but not in the RPDP group. Furthermore, the STTI was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the RPDP group than in the edentulous group at pre-treatment, however, not after therapy (P > 0.05). All patients were very satisfied after therapy concerning ability of speaking, chewing, and stability of their prosthesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients of the edentulous group benefit more from strategically placed implants under the existing dentures than patients from the RPDP group. However, according to the subjective assessment, the chewing satisfaction generally increased for both groups after implant therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with a strongly reduced dentition and edentulous patients benefit from strategically placed implants under the existing removable dentures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, Center for Implantology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany. swolfart@ukaachen.de.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wolfart
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Propaedeutics and Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Propaedeutics and Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brunzel
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Propaedeutics and Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolfart
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caliebe
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Propaedeutics and Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kern
mesh_terms: D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003824:Denture, Complete; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants
keywords: Chewing efficiency; Implant-supported RPDP; Implants; Masticatory performance; Removable complete dental prostheses; STTI; Self-assessment; VAS