Maximum Bite Force of Edentulous Patients before and after Dental Implant Rehabilitation: Long-Term Follow-Up and Facial Type Influence.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To evaluate patients' long-term maximum bite force (MBF) after rehabilitation with mandibular implant-supported prosthesis, (2) to assess the influence of facial pattern in MBF, and (3) to evaluate the relation between the dominant chewing side and MBF.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients were selected. Pre- (T0) and immediate post-rehabilitation (T1) data of MBF were collected. In a follow-up visit 3 to 5 years after rehabilitation (T2), 24 patients participated. The patients were asked about dominant chewing side, and facial pattern was obtained by the initial lateral radiographs.


RESULTS
There was statistically significant increase in MBF in T1 - T0 = 5.4 ± 4.3 kgf, T2 - T1 = 5.5 ± 6.0 kgf. There was no statistically significant difference in MBF considering facial type, brachyfacial (T0 = 4.4, T1 = 10.7, T2 = 17.6 kgf), mesofacial (T0 = 4.1, T1 = 9.7, T2 = 16.5 kgf), and dolichofacial (T0 = 3.4, T1 = 7.9, T2 = 12.6 kgf).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no statistically significant relation between MBF and the dominant chewing side. It can be concluded that mandibular rehabilitation with dental implants improves MBF independent of the facial pattern and dominant chewing side.
Latin American Institute of Dental Research and Education (ILAPEO), Mercês, Brazil.
Ana Cláudia M
ACM
Melo
Latin American Institute of Dental Research and Education (ILAPEO), Mercês, Brazil.
Ingrid M
IM
Ledra
Latin American Institute of Dental Research and Education (ILAPEO), Mercês, Brazil.
Rogéria A
RA
Vieira
Latin American Institute of Dental Research and Education (ILAPEO), Mercês, Brazil.
Edivaldo R
ER
Coró
Latin American Institute of Dental Research and Education (ILAPEO), Mercês, Brazil.
Ivete Aparecida de M
IAM
Sartori
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001732:Bite Force; D002508:Cephalometry; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003824:Denture, Complete; D005145:Face / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
Oral rehabilitation; facial type; maximum bite force