Bite Force after Fixed Full-arch Implant Rehabilitation (All-on-4) Compared to Complete Dentures and Dentate Patients

BackgroundLoss of the remaining dentition in one or both jaws has a significant bearing on chewing patterns and related forces. Full-arch implanttherapy with fixed prosthetic rehabilitation (All-on-4 technique) aims to accurately restore patients' chewing ability.Aim/HypothesisThe objective of the study was to assess the maximum occlusal bite force among patients equipped with implant-supported fixed orremovable dentures and draw a comparison to dentate and complete denture patients.Materials and MethodsThe bite force of 5 groups of patients (All-on-4 implant bridges, implant overdentures, complete dentures and fully dentate patients)was assessed using a custom-made device measuring forces while chewing in Newton (N) and compared between the groups.Resultats (1000 characters maximum)The mean bite force was 199.2 u00b1 97.0 N for dentate patients, 283.1 u00b1 142.1 N for patients with All-on-4 implant bridges in both jaws,108.1 u00b1 55.7 N in case of All-on-4 rehabilitation in one jaw only (combined with complete dentures or implant overdentures), 90.6 u00b128.6 N with implant overdentures, and only 83.5 u00b1 48.0 N in complete denture patients.Conclusions and Clinical ImplicationsThe results of the present clinical investigation suggest that patients with fixed full-arch implant bridges (All-on-4 technique)demonstrate bite forces similar to or even exceeding fully dentate patients. Patients wearing complete dentures, implant overdenturesor implant bridges in just one jaw, by contrast, show a bite force reduction of -53%.