Oral function in subjects with overdentures supported by osseointegrated implants.

Nine subjects treated with overdentures on osseointegrated implants in the mandible were functionally evaluated before and after treatment. The last recordings were performed 1 yr after treatment. The evaluation comprised a subjective and a clinical examination. Measurements of bite force and of chewing efficiency were also performed. The bite force was measured during gentle biting, biting as when chewing and biting with maximal effort. Almonds were used as test food. All subjects improved subjectively as well as clinically after treatment. The bite force during gentle biting increased on average from 17.3 N before treatment to 24.0 N 1 yr after treatment. A corresponding improvement of biting as when chewing was also found, from on average 24.0 N before to 38.7 N after treatment. The maximal bite force increased from on average 74.6 N at the baseline examination to 131.5 N at the 1-yr follow-up. The chewing efficiency improved from Ci = 4 (Median value) before treatment to Ci = 2.8 (Median value) after treatment. It is concluded that treatment with an overdenture supported by osseointegrated implants in the mandible improves oral function compared to the situation before treatment.