Morphofunctional aspects of dental implants.

Although oral implantology is among the most beneficial developments of modern dentistry, the widely spread opinion that the long-term outcome of implants is superior to that of natural teeth has been refuted. To evade uncritical extractions, the morphofunctional properties of natural teeth and implant-supported restorations are compared from a proprioceptive and occlusal trauma perspective. The periodontal ligament of natural teeth provides the central nerve system with feedback for sensory perception and motor control. Conversely, the lack of such proprioception causes lower tactile sensitivity and less coordinated masticatory muscle activity in implant-borne restorations and makes them more prone to occlusal overload and possible subsequent failure. Moreover, occlusal anomalies may be conducive to parafunctional activity, craniomandibular disorder, tinnitus, and headache. Oral implantology, therefore, has to take appropriate account of occlusal conditions and the biomechanical and neuromuscular aspects of masticatory function.