Effect of The Degree of Palatal Coverage on Occlusal Forces Exerted by Implant Retained Maxillary Overdenture

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of degree of palatal coverage on the occlusal forces exerted by implant retained maxillary overdenture using T-Scan. Sixteen male patients were selected from the out-patient clinic of Prosthodontic Department, Faculty of Dentistry Shams University according certain criteria Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups: Patients of Group A received implant supported maxillary overdentures with complete palatal coverage opposed by implant supported mandibular overdenture, while patients of Group B received implant supported maxillary overdentures with partial palatal coverage opposed by implant supported mandibular overdenture. T-scan device was used to record and analyze the biting force of the denture. T-scan record at the first molar region was taken three times for each patient in the two groups, first at the time of loading then after three weeks and last record was taken after three months of loading. Data at the different follow up periods for the two groups was collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed. Within the limitation of this study, the results revealed that no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups throughout the follow up period The results also revealed no statistically significant difference between occlusal forces within the same group at different follow up period.

CONCLUSION Within the limitation of this study it was concluded that: Using implant retained maxillary overdenture with either complete or partial palatal coverage has no effect on the percentage of occlusal forces exerted at the first molar region as recorded by the T-scan device. Further investigations should be done regarding measuring occlusal forces exerted by different prostheses using T-scan device.