Masticatory ability improves after maxillary implant overdenture treatment: A randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up

Background
The effect of maxillary implant overdentures on masticatory ability in edentulous patients with complaints regarding their conventional maxillary dentures is unknown.

Purpose
To assess the change in objective masticatory ability (mixing ability index, MAI), patient reported masticatory ability (questionnaire), and patient satisfaction (GSS) after maxillary implant overdenture treatment with either solitary attachments or bars.

Materials and Methods
Two groups randomly received four‐implant maxillary overdentures on either solitary attachments (group I, n = 25) or bars (group II, n = 25). The MAI, questionnaire, and GSS were scored before (T0) and 12 months (T12) after treatment.

Results
After treatment, both groups had significantly better MAI outcomes, better questionnaire scores and better GSS. Post‐treatment questionnaire scores and GSS were significantly better for group II. Before treatment a strong, positive correlation between the MAI and the questionnaire was found for all participants who had had full conventional dentures combined (group I, n = 17; group II, n = 3).

Conclusion
Mixing ability was the same for all the participants treated with maxillary implant overdentures on either solitary attachments or bars. Patient reported masticatory ability and satisfaction was better for participants treated with maxillary implant overdentures on bars. There was a correlation between MAI and patient reported masticatory ability in participants with full conventional dentures.