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Tactile Sensibility of Natural Teeth and Osseointegrated Dental Implants to Loading

Summary Introduction. Dental implant therapy has become a popular method of replacing one or more missing teeth. Osseointegrated dental implants have been studied from histological, microbiologic and biomechanical point of view, but the neurophysiologic integration of the implants and the supported prostheses has received less attention. The sensory mechanism of dental implants is qualitatively different from that of natural teeth. Psychophysiological tests are used to determine the tactile sensibility perceived with the implants and teeth. Aim of the study. The purpose of this study was to compare tactile sensibility of natural teeth and osseointegrated dental implants. Material and methods. Forty-three patients were included in the study. Natural teeth were divided into two groups: non endodontically treated teeth (NETT) and endodontically treated teeth (ETT). Load tests were done by a computer-controlled pressure sensitive device („Power Lab“ Data Acquisition System - model 4/25T, sensor - model MLT003/D; ADInstruments), specially modified for intraoral use. Pushing forces were applied parallel to the vertical axis of teeth and implants. The patient held a signal button which he/she activated as soon as touch was sensed. At this moment the computer registered passive absolute tactile threshold - measured in Newtons. The mean values of passive absolute tactile threshold for natural teeth and dental implants were calculated. Comparison of the mean values was performed by the means of t-test. Results. Passive absolute tactile threshold for osseointegrated dental implants was 2.39 N (SD=1.92), and for teeth - 0.67 N (SD=0.72), for non endodontically treated teeth it was 0.63 N (SD=0.72) and for endodontically treated teeth - 0.73 N (SD=0.69). The differences in mean values were statistically significant (p<0,0001) except for mean values of NETT vs. ETT. Conclusion. This study shows that patients with osseointegrated implants subjectively feel “touch” sensation when greater force is applied compared with natural teeth.