Digital Occlusal Load Analysis in Dental Arches Restored with Single Implant Supported Restoration Using Two Occlusal Schemes. (T-Scan in-vivo study)

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the size of occlusal contact areas of single implant supported restoration on occlusal load distribution on adjacent premolars using a digital occlusal analyzer (T-Scan). Material and Methods: Twenty four patients with missed lower first molar were received delayed dental implants, where they divided into 2 main groups according to the presence or absence of adjacent lower second molar (n=12). Group (Ι): Patients with missing mandibular first molar with the presence of adjacent second molar and premolar teeth,while group (ΙΙ): Patients with missing mandibular first molar tooth with the presence of adjacent premolars and absence of adjacent distal molars.Two occlusal schemes were followed during superstructure construction, dividing each group into two subgroups, (n=6). Patients were evaluated for occlusal load distribution before and after cementation of the crown, and after 3 and 6 months using T-scan system (9.1). Results: Regarding second premolar; the occlusal load distribution % in the different groups was statistically insignificant. Regarding first premolar; occlusal scheme 1 in both groups showed statistically significantly higher median occlusal load distribution % on the lower first premolar than occlusal scheme 2 in both groups. Conclusion: The size of occlusal contact area of the implant supported crown is an important factor affecting occlusal load distribution on adjacent premolars. Decreasing the size of occlusal contact area of the implant supported crown will increase the force on adjacent premolars.