Implant anchored complete mandibular denture: evaluation of masticatory efficiency, oral function and degree of satisfaction

Masticatory efficiency, oral function and degree of satisfaction with the treatment received were analysed in a group of fully edentulous patients with severe atrophy of the mandibular bone, rehabilitated with complete removable dentures, before and after anchoring the dentures to osseointegrated implants. Masticatory efficiency increased significantly and chewing cycles increased in amplitude after anchoring the denture. The component of the chewing cycle that most influenced the increase in functional area was the lateral one. A correlation was found between the increase in the lateral component of the chewing cycle and the increased masticatory efficiency achieved with implant-anchored dentures. The degree of satisfaction with their rehabilitation reported by the subjects was correlated neither to increased masticatory efficiency nor to improved oral function.