Masticatory Efficiency, Bite Force, and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients Rehabilitated With Conventional Complete Dentures, Conventional Removable Partial Dentures, Mini-Implant-Retained Overdentures, Conventional Implant-Retained Overdentures, and Implant-Assisted Removable Partial Dentures: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Clinical Study

Tooth loss and edentulism are associated with impaired masticatory function, reduced bite force, compromised oral function, and decreased oral health-related quality of life. Conventional complete dentures and removable partial dentures remain widely used treatment modalities; however, limitations in retention, stability, and chewing efficiency may negatively affect patient satisfaction and functional outcomes. Implant-assisted treatment concepts, including mini-implant-retained overdentures, conventional implant-retained overdentures, and implant-assisted removable partial dentures, have been introduced to improve prosthesis retention, stability, comfort, and oral function.

The IMPROSTREHAB study (Implant and Prosthodontic Rehabilitation Outcomes Study) is an observational clinical study designed to evaluate functional and patient-reported outcomes associated with different removable prosthodontic treatment modalities in edentulous and partially edentulous patients.

The study comprises both cross-sectional and longitudinal components. In the cross-sectional component, masticatory efficiency, bite force, oral health-related quality of life, and patient-reported outcomes will be compared among individuals rehabilitated with conventional complete dentures (CDs), conventional removable partial dentures (RPDs), mini-implant-retained overdentures (MDI-ODs), conventional implant-retained overdentures (CI-ODs), and implant-assisted removable partial dentures (IARPDs). Additional analyses will evaluate the influence of demographic, clinical, anatomical, and prosthodontic factors, including age, sex, duration of prosthesis use, residual ridge resorption, number and distribution of remaining teeth, implant-related variables, and other factors that may influence treatment outcomes.

In the longitudinal component, participants receiving new prosthodontic treatment will be followed prospectively to assess changes in masticatory function, bite force, oral health-related quality of life, and patient-reported outcomes following treatment and adaptation to the prosthesis. Repeated assessments will be performed at predefined follow-up intervals according to the specific objectives of individual study subprojects.

Masticatory performance and masticatory efficiency will be evaluated using validated and standardized assessment methods, including chewing-gum mixing ability tests and other objective functional measures where appropriate. Maximum bite force will be assessed using calibrated bite-force measurement devices. Patient-reported outcomes will be evaluated using validated questionnaires and instruments, including measures of oral health-related quality of life, self-perceived chewing ability, denture satisfaction, treatment satisfaction, esthetic outcomes, and other patient-centered outcomes.