Impact of Two Occlusal Schemes in Implant Retained Mandibular Overdenture on the Masticatory Efficiency

Purpose: To assess the effect of two different occlusal schemes, bilateral balance and monoplane on the masticatory efficiency in mandibular implant retained overdenture with ball and socket attachment. Methodology: Twelve male completely edentulous patients were recruited for this clinical study. Each patient received two implants after that. Patients were divided randomly into two equal groups according to occlusal schemes which involved bilateral balanced occlusion and mono plane occlusion. each. Group 1 received a bilateral balanced occlusion scheme denture; Group 2 received monoplane occlusal scheme denture. Masticatory efficiencies were evaluated by assessing chewing time and number of chewing strokes with different types of foods. The data were collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: using dentures with bilateral balanced occlusion showed lower masticatory efficiency than the denture with monoplane occlusion with no significant difference when using soft food during the first month, while after 3 months there were significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The two-implant retained mandibular overdenture with monoplane occlusion showed relatively improved masticatory efficiency than with bilateral balanced occlusion.