The influence of occlusal scheme on masticatory forces using implant stabilized bridges.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects on masticatory forces of using implant stabilized mandibular bridges with occlusal schemes providing either balanced or unbalanced articulation. The investigation was carried out in a group of six subjects who had dentate, or restored dentate maxillary arches and who used implantstabilized mandibular prostheses. Peak masticatory forces, chewing frequency and load rate were determined when chewing bread, carrots and nuts. The mean peak masticatory force varied markedly from subject to subject, and, together with the masticatory load rate were lowest when eating bread and highest when chewing nuts, with values for chewing carrots between the two. There was no detectable difference in mean peak masticatory force or load rates associated with chewing bread with the two occlusal schemes; however, these were lower with balanced occlusion when chewing nuts and carrots. The ranking of subjects in terms of mean peak masticatory force and load rate was consistent and peak load rates of up to 2000 N/sec were recorded. Chewing frequency was relatively consistent for a particular subject irrespective of the foodstuff.