LAUSR

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of a novel interocclusal recording method on the occlusal accuracy of implant-supported fixed prostheses for partially dentate patients with distal extension. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty patients with two or more adjacent teeth missing in the distal extension and scheduled to receive implant-supported fixed prostheses were enrolled. Two interocclusal recording methods were used: placing polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) on the interocclusal recording caps (test), and placing PVS on healing abutments (control). The intraoral occlusal contacts in maximal intercuspal position (MIP) were compared with those in the mounted casts to calculate sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV). Then patients were randomly allocated into two groups to determine which interocclusal record would be used. The implant prostheses' evaluations mainly included occlusal adjustment height, volume, and time, occlusal contact score based on articulating paper examination. Paired-samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and least squares regression analyzed the statistic differences. RESULTS The test method had higher sensitivity to detect intraoral occlusal contacts than the control method (p = 0.002), but similar PPV (p = 0.10). During the prostheses' evaluations, the occlusal adjustment height in the test group was significantly lower than that in the control group [99.4 (53.2, 134.2) vs. 159.0 (82.3, 247.8) μm, p = 0.03], while the occlusal contact score before adjustment was higher (p = 0.006). The groups had similar occlusal adjustment volume and time. CONCLUSIONS The novel interocclusal recording method for implant-supported fixed prostheses was more accurate and could reduce the occlusal adjustment.