The Effect of Occlusal Pressure on Vertical Force Generation on Dentate and Edentulous Subjects

Abstract

Objectives: To determine 1) the difference in lower extremity power obtained from a vertical jump in individuals who are dentate or edentulous (implants or dentures) and 2) the difference occlusal pressure makes on lower body force output. Variables included jump height, maximum kicking force, maximum push off force, take off velocity, flight time, jump impulse, and maximum velocity. Groups included dentate, implant overdenture, and conventional denture. Methods: Counter movement jumping with force plate collection was utilized to test the three populations in this study. The three populations were dentate, mandibular implant overdenture opposing maxillary complete denture, and conventional maxillary and mandibular complete dentures. The dentate group was asked to clench their teeth at the beginning and throughout the counter movement jump. The edentulous groups were asked to clench with their prostheses in and to relax with them out. Results: The force variables tested showed significant differences between the three test groups. Maximum velocity was only showed significant between the dentate in comparison to the other two groups, but not between implant or conventional. There was found to be no significant difference between the force variables and occlusal pressure. Conclusions: In the present study, there was a significant difference found between the three dental condition groups of edentulous, implant, and dentate. The results indicate that the oral rehabilitation method did impact lower body force generation in all of the variables, with the exception of maximum velocity which only showed significance between edentulous and dentate. I would like to thank the following for their guidance and contributions: Dr. Matthew Bryington-I am grateful for your instruction with this project, and with providing me with the freedom to pursue something that at the time sounded farfetched. Dr. Nicole Andreini-I would like to thank you for reading my chapters as I finished them, for providing me insight when I had writer's block, and for ensuring me that everything was happening right on time. Dr's Mike Evans and Ben Kordusky-I would like to thank you both for helping support me these last few months in completing my writing. Lyndsey Gray-I would like to thank you for helping run all of the Axium reports to collect our participant pool, for going through them all to filter out positive and negative selections, and for providing me encouragement. Dr. Desiree Harper-I would like to thank you for proof reading my chapters, for encouraging me when I felt discouraged, and for providing me valuable ideas for my writing. Dr. George Harper-I would like to thank you for helping me construct and transport the landing platform. James and Jordan-I would like to thank you both for helping run my computer protocols, compiling the data, running the data, and assisting me with other essential parts of the project. Dr. Jean McCrory-I am very grateful for your mentorship throughout this process. For all the chapters read, to the continued ...