Occlusal equilibration and muscle activity in fixed versus removable mandibular implant supported overdenture.

OBJECTIVES: Single denture rehabilitated patients have negative appraisals regarding oral function, mostly associated by stability and retention issues regarding mandibular prosthetics. Therefore, this study assessed patients' occlusal equilibration, muscle activity, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) receiving milled removable or fixed mandibular implant retained prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two edentulous mandibular ridges patients were randomly distributed into two groups based on the definitive prosthesis received. Group I: Removable mandibular implant-supported overdenture, Group II: Implant retained fixed prosthesis. Occlusal equilibration was evaluated utilizing Occlusense, muscle activity via Electromyograph (EMG) at delivery, after one, and three months. The OHRQoL was evaluated by Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-19) before delivery and after follow-ups. Data were collected, tabulated, and analyzed, utilizing independent t-test and One-way ANOVA followed Tukey`s post-hoc test. Significance level set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Groups I &II showed significant improvement in occlusal equilibration, muscle activity and OHRQoL. Group II demonstrated significantly higher improvement than group I in occlusal equilibration associated with muscle activity after 1 month, and in functional limitations domain in OHRQoL questionnaire after 3 months. CONCLUSION: Implant retained mandibular prosthesis showed improvement in occlusal equilibration, muscle activity, and OHRQoL regardless of prosthesis type employed. Fixed implant-supported prosthesis revealed better outcomes than removable mandibular implant-supported overdenture concerning occlusal equilibration, muscle activity, and OHRQoL regarding functional limitations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Implant retained mandibular prosthesis is one of best treatment options for single mandibular completely edentulous patients, as dental implants improved occlusal equilibration, muscle activity, and OHRQoL.

Effect of Denture Base Reinforcement Using Light Cured E- Glass Fibers on the Level of Salivary Immunoglobulin A.

BACKGROUND: A gap still exists between in vitro and clinical studies concerning the biocompatibility of the material in the oral environment and their potential to cause immunological undesirable side effects. The uses of glass fibres to improve the mechanical properties of acrylic resin denture base polymers are well documented in vitro. AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of denture base reinforcement using light-cured E- glass fibres mesh on the level of salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) in patients wearing complete dentures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen completely edentulous patients, in need of complete dentures, participated in the study. The patients were divided into two groups (n = 7) according to the treatment protocol. In the first group, patients received conventional heat-cured acrylic resin dentures. In the second group, the mandibular dentures were reinforced using light cured resin impregnated E glass fibres mesh. In both groups, salivary samples were collected using passive drool technique. The level IgA was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique at different time intervals. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey`s post-hoc test and independent t-test. The significant level was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Acrylic resin dentures and reinforced ones demonstrated an increase in the mean values of IgA level at the end of the follow-up intervals. And this increase was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Although, the reinforced dentures revealed higher mean values, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the present study, the following could be concluded: (1) the insertion of complete dentures induced changes in the level of IgA; and (2) denture base reinforcement using light cured resin impregnated E-glass fibres mesh had a similar effect to that of heat cured acrylic resin on the level of IgA.