• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2015

PURPOSE. To assess function by identifying changes in swallowing and masticatory performance in maxillary obturator prosthesis wearers. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sixty subjects were recruited for the study, of which 20 were obturator wearers, 20 were completely dentulous and 20 had removable partial/complete dentures with similar Eichner's Index. Swallowing ability was evaluated with and without obturator using the "Water Drinking Test"; Masticatory performance was evaluated with the Sieve test; and maximum occlusal force was recorded with the help of a digital bite sensor. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 15.0 with a confidence level at 95%. RESULTS. Profile, behavior of drinking and time taken to drink were significantly improved (P<.001) in subjects after wearing obturator. Masticatory performance was not significantly different (P=.252) in obturator wearer when compared with dentulous or removable partial/complete denture wearer, but significantly (P<.001) high inter group difference in maximum occlusal force existed. Correlation between masticatory performance and maximum occlusal force was not significant (P=.124). CONCLUSION. Swallowing ability was significantly improved after wearing obturator but masticatory performance was not significantly different from those having similar occlusal support zone in their dentition.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 1993

Many studies have been reported on the successful replacement of missing teeth with osseointegrated dental Implants. However, little research has been carried out on the bio-mechanical aspect of the stress on the surrounding bone of the free-standing type of dental implant prostheses. This experimental study was aimed to analyze the stress distribution pattern on the supporting tissues depending upon the position of osseointegrated implants supporting fixed bridges. In the cases of unilateral partially edentulous mandible (the 2nd premolar and the 1st and 2nd molars missing), two osseointegrated implants were placed at the 2nd premolar and 2nd molar sites (Model A) , the 1st and 2nd molar sites (Model B, Anterior cantilevered type), the 2nd premolar and 1st molar sites (Model C, Posterior cantilevered type). Chewing forces of dentate patients and denture wearer were applied vertically on the 2nd premolar, the 1st molar, and the 2nd molar of each model. A 3-Unit fixed partial denture was constructed at each model and cantilevered extension parts were involved in Model B and Model C. Two dimensional finite element analysis was undertaken. The commercial software (Super SAP) for IBM 16 bit personal computer was utilized. The results were as follows : 1. The magnitude of applied load influenced on the total value of stresses, but did not in-fluence on the pattern of stress distribution. 2. The magnitude of stress developed from the supporting tissues were in order of Model C,Model A,Model B. 3. High stresses were concentrated on the cervical and apical portion of the implant/bone interface. 4. A difference of the stress magnitude on the implant/bone interface between mesial and distal implant was most prominant in Model C and in order of Model A and Model B. 5. The stresses developed in Model A were evenly distributed throughout both implants. 6. The stresses concentrated on the cervical portion of cantilevered side were higher in the posterior cantilevered type than in the anterior cantilevered type.