Marginal bone loss associated with unilateral free end mandibular implant supporting superstructures constructed with different occlusal schemes

Abstract

Aims This study was designed to evaluate the amount of bone resorption related to implant in free end saddle in response to different occlusal designs. Patients and methods Twenty patients with unilateral free end saddle in the lower arch till the second premolar were selected and received delayed single dental implants replacing the first molar tooth. They were divided into two main groups according to the implant superstructure deign (n = 10). Group 1: implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis which follow the principals of implant protected occlusion, and with the occlusal contact area of the crown smaller than the occlusal contact area of adjacent tooth. Group 2: implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis which follow the principals of implant protected occlusion, and with the occlusal contact area of the crown larger than the occlusal contact area of adjacent tooth. Patients were evaluated for the amount of marginal bone level at the time of crown insertion, after 3 and 6 months of function. Results There was a statistically significant change by time in marginal bone loss in both groups especially during the first 3 months. However, there was no statistically significant difference between marginal bone loss regarding the two groups. Conclusion It was concluded that increasing the occlusal contact area of the implant superstructure has no effect on marginal bone loss.