Introduction: Computer-aided technology is an innovative method for fabrication of removable prosthodontics. Thus, more prospective clinical trials are necessary to validate this technology.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) milling technique of prepolymerized Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) and Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) implant assisted overdentures on the chewing efficiency and bite force compared to the conventionally fabricated heat cured acrylic resin overdentures.
Materials and Methods: Ten completely edentulous patients with persistent complaint of poor retention and stability of their mandibular complete dentures were selected. Each participant received four dental implants in the anterior mandible. Three identical overdentures were constructed for each patient. According to the processing technique and denture base material, the processed overdentures were classified into three groups. Group I: comprised CAD/CAM milled PEEK overdentures. Group II: comprised CAD/CAM milled PMMA overdentures. Group III: comprised conventional heat cured acrylic resin overdentures. Chewing efficiency of all overdenture groups in terms of measuring the unmixed chewing gum fraction was assessed using two-colour mixing ability test. Biting force was also assessed by a bite force transducer. All assessments were carried out three months after overdenture insertion of each type .
Results: Chewing efficiency and biting force increased significantly with the CAD-CAM milled PEEK and CAD-CAM milled PMMA overdentures compared to the conventionally processed heat cured overdentures. However, no statistically significant difference was detected in the chewing efficiency and biting force when PEEK and PMMA overdentures were used.
Conclusions: The CAD-CAM fabricated overdentures provided increased chewing efficiency and better biting force compared to conventionally processed heat cured overdentures.