Stabilizing Removable Partial Dentures by Immediate or Delayed Loading of Mini-implants: Chewing Efficiency in a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Responsiveness of methods to evaluate chewing ability after removable partial denture treatments

“…For example, one study used a two‐coloured wax cube to show high levels of responsiveness associated with removable partial denture (RPD) treatment, 11 and a more recent study evaluated the responsiveness of a two‐coloured chewing gum method, a visual analogue scale (VAS) with 0‐10 numerical endpoints and 3/5‐point Likert scales for chewing difficulty to assess a range of prosthetic treatments (eg, complete dentures, RPDs and fixed partial dentures) 12 . In addition, stabilisation of RPDs using mini‐implants improved food mixing ability, as evaluated using a two‐coloured chewing gum 13 . The findings of these studies suggest that the responsiveness of these evaluation methods for masticatory function are dependent on the food types, chewing conditions, types of questionnaires used and the types of prosthodontic treatments.…”

“…12 In addition, stabilisation of RPDs using mini-implants improved food mixing ability, as evaluated using a two-coloured chewing gum. 13 The findings of these studies suggest that the responsiveness of these evaluation methods for masticatory function are dependent on the food types, chewing conditions, types of questionnaires used and the types of prosthodontic treatments.…”

Strategic Implants under Existing Partial Removable Dentures, Why, How Many, and Which Type?

“…Generally speaking, teeth-implant-or implant-supported removable dentures reduce (and in many cases eliminate) traditional denture problems. [1,[7][8][9] It helps the dentist widen his options to meet the patient's needs and expectations by inserting one or few implants in strategic positions, but how many implants? The needed number of mini dental implants (MDIs) or standard dental implants (SDIs) under existing RPD is a multifactorial process (see paragraph 2.5) and taken on the quadrant level.…”

“…Many clinical studies have shown that implant placement in strategic locations under an existing RPD can enhance chewing efficiency, dental health-related quality of life, and patient satisfaction with speaking and eating, as well as RPD retention, stability, and support. [1,8,32] Above that, it gives the dentist the ability to reduce the tissue coverage and reduce the size of the RPD, which can positively impact the patient's acceptance of the RPD, especially if he suffers hyperactive gag reflex, Figure 24. Also, it can improve the final esthetic result by avoiding the traditional metal clasp, Figures 19 and 22.…”

“…A procedure that is not suitable or acceptable by some patients. In this case, mini-implants can be considered a good alternative, Figures 22 and 25 [1,8,16].…”