Masticatory Function of Immediately Loaded Two-Implant Mandibular Overdentures: A 5-year Prospective Study

Purpose: To treat mandibular edentulous patients by fitting immediately loaded two-implant overdentures via guided flapless surgery and evaluate their masticatory performance. Materials and Methods: Nineteen patients who presented with edentulous mandibles (mean age: 69.8 years; range: 60 to 85 years) at the Dental Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, were enrolled in this study. A newly fabricated complete denture was used as a radiographic guide. Computer planning followed the design procedure, and surgical guides were fabricated for each patient. Flapless surgery was performed using this guide, and two implants were placed in the canine positions. On the day of surgery, a removable overdenture supported by two ball attachments was fitted. Masticatory function was evaluated on the basis of masticatory performance with a color-changeable chewing gum, maximum occlusal force with an occlusal force meter, and occlusal contact area with an occlusal diagnostic system. Results: The masticatory performance significantly improved from 48 months after surgery. The maximum occlusal force significantly increased 24 months after surgery. The occlusal contact area significantly increased from 6 months after surgery. This prospective study indicated that maximum occlusal force and occlusal contact area significantly improved at a comparatively earlier period after implant surgery and were maintained for up to 5 years with the immediate loading of two-implant overdentures with stud attachments. However, masticatory performance took more time to improve than maximum occlusal force and occlusal contact area. Conclusion: According to this 5-year prospective study, masticatory performance, maximum occlusal force, and occlusal contact area showed significant improvement after 4 to 5 years, 2 years, and 6 months postsurgery, respectively.