title: Clinical Evaluation of Implant-Supported Removable Partial Dentures With a Stress-Breaking Attachment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The stress-breaking ball (SBB) attachment can distribute the occlusal force equally between the alveolar ridge and the implants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implant-supported distal extension removable partial dentures (RPDs) with SBB attachment in 10 patients who were partially edentulous.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized crossover study was designed to compare the function of RPDs with and without healing abutments and SBB attachments to support the posterior aspects of the RPDs. Mandibular jaw movements during mastication and the occlusal force and contact area were measured with a commercially available tracking device and pressure-sensitive sheets. Using a visual analog scale, 4 criteria-chewing, retention, stability, and comfort-were evaluated. All of the data obtained were analyzed using a 1-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in either the mean time or the coefficient of variation among the SBB attachments and healing abutments of implant-supported removable partial dentures (ISRPDs) and conventional removable partial dentures (CRPDs). SBB attachments and healing abutments of ISRPDs had greater forces and contact areas than those of CRPDs with significant differences. For all criteria, patients preferred SBB attachments to healing abutments and CRPDs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implant-supported distal extension RPDs with SBB attachment improved denture stability and patients' satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: *Associate Professor, Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama, Japan; Implant Center, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama, Japan. †Instructor, Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama, Japan. ‡Assistant Professor, Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama, Japan. §Professor, Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama, Japan; Implant Center, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: Hidemasa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimpo
authors.forename: Yohei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Chikahiro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ohkubo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003779:Denture Design; D003834:Denture Precision Attachment; D003781:Denture Retention; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants