Abstract
Aim: The aim of this within-subject study was to evaluate and compare clinical denture base deformation with two types of denture base reinforcement for telescopic implant retained overdentures.
Materials and methods: Six completely edentulous participants received two implants in the canine region of the mandible and the implants were connected to the overdentures with resilient telescopic attachments. Each patient received 2 types of denture reinforcement for the mandibular overdentures; 1) metal reinforced overdentures, 2) PEEK reinforced overdentures. Four strain-gauges were adhered to the lingual polished surface of each denture abutment top (C1 and C3), and 5 mm below abutment top (C2 and C4). Strain registrations were performed during maximum voluntary clenching.
Results: The measured strains and implant positions C1 and C3 were tensile in nature and the measured strains at implant positions C2 and C4 were compressive in nature. The highest microstrain was noted at C3, followed by C1, then C2, and the lowest strain was noted was with C4 for both groups. There was no significant difference in recorded microstrains between C1 and C3 or between C2 and C4. For all strain gauge positions, PEEK reinforced overdentures recorded significantly higher microstrains than metal-reinforced overdentures.
Conclusion: Within the limitation of this short term cross over trial, cobalt-chromium metal reinforcement for mandibular implant assisted overdentures is recommended than PEEK reinforcement as it reduced denture base strains and deformation during maximum voluntary clenching.