• Orapin Komin, D.D.S., Ph.D.
• Onnicha Supraksorn, D.D.S., M.S.
• Vannaporn Chuenchompoonut, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Background Edentulous patients with severe bone loss encounter lower complete denture (L-CD)
instability problems. Mini dental implant (MDI) retained L-CDs are an alternative treatment for
unstable L-CD patients. This study subjectively and objectively evaluated masticatory efficiency
before and after MDI retained L-CD treatment.

Materials and methods The subjects received 4 MDIs in the anterior mandible to retain their L-CD.
Masticatory efficiency was evaluated after using their L-CD at least 3 months prior to MDI placement,
1 month after L-CD loading, and 3 months after L-CD loading. The subjective evaluation used a
four-point rating scale questionnaire to assess chewing performance to generate the çPerceived
Chewing Ability Scoreé (PCAS). The objective evaluation used a two-colored wax cube analysis
method, determining the çPercentage of Chewing Abilityé (PCA).

Results The median PCAS and mean PCA values increased through Tests 1, 2, and 3. There were
significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) between before and after MDI retained L-CD treatment in both
evaluations.

Conclusions All L-CD patients subjectively and objectively improved their masticatory efficiency
after MDI placement. Our results suggest that minimally invasive MDI treatment is an attractive option
for patients with L-CD instability problems, leading to improved masticatory efficiency and quality of
life.

(CU Dent J. 2016;39:19-32)