4 Occlusal contacts in intercuspal position of prostheses without stress absorbing elements on osseointegrated implants

Abstract

We evaluated the occlusal contacts in the intercuspal position between natural teeth and prostheses with no stress absorbing elements that were placed on osseointegrated implants. Using this information, we investigated how to best create occlusal contacts on the prostheses with opposing teeth. The number and area of occlusal contacts increased with increases in occlusal force both on the natural teeth and on the prostheses. However, the location of the occlusal contacts remained the same in both healthy dentulous subjects and in those with prostheses. We think this probably occurred because of displacement of the opposing teeth and strain on the supporting tissue that occurred regardless of the presence of stress absorbing elements. We concluded that a harmonious intercuspal position with natural teeth could be established by imparting appropriate occlusal contacts on the prostheses regardless of the presence of stress absorbing elements.