The Effects of Sleeping With or Without Prostheses on Sleep Quality, Sleep Bruxism, and Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of sleeping with or without a maxillary mucosa-supported complete denture (CD) in edentulous patients wearing a mandibular fixed implant-supported CD on sleep quality, sleep bruxism (SB) activity, and signs of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 female patients with maxillary mucosa-supported CDs opposing mandibular fixed implant-supported CDs were selected and tested for sleep quality, SB activity, and signs of OSAS during one night while wearing the maxillary CD and another night without wearing it, with a washout period of 7 days in between. The validated Brazilian Portuguese versions of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-BR), Sleep Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESSBR) were used to assess subjective sleep quality. Diagnosis of OSAS followed the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) guidelines and was confirmed with an objective and validated type 3 portable cardiorespiratory monitor (ApneaLink Plus v.9.00) by measuring the respiratory disturbance index (RDI). SB activity was assessed with a subjective self-report questionnaire and an objective and validated portable electromyographic device (BiteStrip). RESULTS: The objective measurements of SB activity and the RDI showed significant reduction (ie, improvement) when patients did not wear the maxillary CD. The subjective measurements of sleep quality and self-reports of SB activity showed no significant differences between wearing and not wearing a maxillary CD. CONCLUSION: The present results have shown that not wearing a maxillary CD at night is preferable as far as SB and OSAS are concerned, but larger-scale studies are still needed.

Evaluation of retention forces and resistance to fatigue of attachment systems for overdentures: plastic and metal components.

PURPOSE: To compare retention forces of 3 overdenture attachment systems with metal and plastic components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four samples of each system evaluated (Ball-Attachment [metal]; O-Ring, and ERA [plastic]) were prepared and underwent fatigue and retention force in a universal testing machine. Maximum retention force (N) was measured at 6 time points (from 0 to 36 months-0.5 mm/min). Two-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test were used (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The Ball-Attachment group showed the highest retention values, statistically greater than the other systems, without differences during the trial (42.75-44.75). The ERA group had intermediate values and a statistically significant decrease during the trial (20.75-14). The lowest retention forces were found for the O-Ring group (13.75-11.75), with no statistical differences during the trial. CONCLUSION: Retention forces are significantly affected by abutment type because the metal retainer was more retentive than plastics, possibly providing better fixation of the prosthesis in position, and more difficult to remove. After 6 months of simulation, retentiveness of both plastic components was similar. There was no fracture of any component.