The Effect of Maximum Bite Force, Implant Number, and Attachment Type on Marginal Bone Loss around Implants Supporting Mandibular Overdentures: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: There remains controversy regarding the clinical reasons for late-implant bone loss, which is a critical factor in the long-term success of implant-supported overdentures. Purpose: Assessment of the effect of such factors as attachment type, number of implants, gender, age, and maximum bite force (MBF) on marginal bone loss (MBL) around implants supporting mandibular overdentures. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two edentulous patients rehabilitated with two-, three-, or four-implant-supported mandibular overdentures at a university clinic between January 2006 and January 2007 and having a digital panoramic radiograph at the time of loading, were included in this study. All patients received digital panoramic radiographs, and MBL was measured by subtracting bone levels from the first radiograph. MBF was measured using a bite force transducer. Results: The amount of bone loss 48 months after loading was found to be unrelated to gender, age, implant number, attachment type, and splinting (p = .741, p = .953, p = .640, p = .763, p = .370, respectively). A significant correlation was observed between the MBF and the MBL of distal implants on the right side (p < .01, 79.9%) and the MBF and the MBL of distal implants on the left side (p = .011, 34.6%). Conclusions: MBL around implants supporting mandibular overdentures seems not to be affected by number of implants, attachment type, age, or gender; however, MBL is affected by MBF.