Can Different Impression Techniques Affect the Chewing Efficiency of Mandibular Implant-Retained Overdentures?

Several impression techniques and theories have been developed for implant-retained overdentures, each with its own set of advantages and limitations. This study aimed to assess the chewing efficiency of mandibular implant-retained overdentures fabricated using three distinct impression techniques (mucofunctional, selective, and minimal pressure impression techniques). Twenty-six patients with complete edentulism free from any oral or systemic disease were selected to participate in the study. Three complete mandibular implant-retained overdentures were constructed for each patient, and grouped into three groups according to the impression technique employed in overdenture construction; Group A: Patients were treated by mandibular implant-retained overdenture fabricated using mucofunctional impression technique; Group B: Patients were treated by mandibular implant-retained overdenture fabricated using selective pressure impression technique; Group C: Patients were treated by mandibular implant-retained overdenture fabricated using minimal pressure impression technique. Chewing efficiency was evaluated for each patient with the implant-retained mandibular overdenture after three months of prosthesis insertion as an adaptation period. The data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. Results indicated that mandibular implant-retained overdentures made using the mucofunctional impression technique showed higher mean values of chewing efficiency parameters than mandibular overdentures made using selective and minimal pressure impression techniques. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the mucofunctional impression technique may be effective in improving the chewing efficiency of mandibular implant-retained overdentures more than minimal or selective pressure impression techniques.