Effect of Implant‐Supported Mandibular Overdentures versus Reline on Masticatory Performance and Salivary Flow Rates in Very Old Adults ‐ a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the masticatory efficiency (ME), maximum voluntary bite force (MBF), masseter muscle thickness (MMT) and salivary flow rates (SFR) in completely edentulous dependent elders treated either with a conversion of their existing mandibular complete removable dental prostheses (CRDP) into a 2‐implant overdenture (IOD) or a conventional reline of the CRDP.

Material and Methods

Participants were randomly allocated into intervention (IG), and control (CG) group. The IG received two implants in the mandibular canine regions and their CRDPs were transformed into IODs. The CG received a conventional reline of their mandibular CRDPs. Outcomes were recorded at each recall visit (baseline, immediately‐, 3 months‐, 12 months‐ after intervention and, subsequently on an annual basis). Statistical analyses used mixed linear regression models (level of significance: p<0.05).

Results

The IG comprised 16 participants (age=85.0±6.2 years), while the CG comprised 16 (age=84.8±5.4 years), with a mean follow‐up of 2.7± 2.2 years (range 3m to 7y). A significant increase of MBF in the IG (p<0.001) was observed with an overall gain of 80 N (p<0.001) compared with the reline group. There were no significant long‐term changes in SFR, MMT, or ME within/between groups.

Conclusion

Since dependent elders with mandibular IODs present a significant gain in MBF, but no relative increase in SFR, MMT, and ME, it seems that this increased capacity of MBF is not exploited by the elders during their habitual chewing.

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