Evaluation of chewing quality improvement after rehabilitation with dental implants

Objetive:The aim of this study was to evaluate chewing quality perception and food restrictions before and after oral rehabilitation with prosthesis supported by dental implants in partial and total edentulous subjects. Methods: Sixty patients were divided in six groups according to the type of prosthetics used for rehabilitation and the conditions of the antagonist arch. The groups were as follows: (G1) upper or lower protocol x natural teeth; (G2) upper or lower bilateral fixed prosthetics x natural teeth; (G3) unilateral fixed prosthetics x natural teeth; (G4) upper or lower protocol x total prosthetics; (G5) upper protocol x lower protocol; and (G6) protocol x bilateral fixed prosthetics. Following four predetermined questions, an Analogical Visual Scale (AVS) was used to detect patientxs complains related to the chewing quality before and after treatment with dental implants as well as any restriction to foods before and after rehabilitation. The patient should point out with a dash on the line corresponding to the asked question. Results: The values registered on the AVS were measured using a digital caliper and the comparison between groups was performed using the mean values classified according to the respective scores (excellent, good, poor or terrible regarding the chewing quality and total, accentuate, moderate or no food restriction). The results showed that, among the patients completely edentulous before treatment, it was reported a higher satisfaction regarding chewing quality perception and less food restrictions after rehabilitation with dental implants. Conclusion: Total or partial edentulous patients reported to have an improvement in their chewing ability after being rehabilitated with dental implants. However, among the patients with several natural teeth this perception was less significant.