Masticatory Function in Stage IV Periodontitis Patients Treated with Fixed Prosthetic Rehabilitation: A Case Series.

The present study aims at assessing the impact on masticatory function of a fixed prosthetic rehabilitation in patients diagnosed with stage IV periodontitis. Eligible participants were adults, in need of complex rehabilitation due to masticatory dysfunction. The masticatory function was evaluated using the two-colored chewing gum mixing ability test (VOH) at diagnostic phase (T0), one week after the delivery of the prosthetic prototype (T1) and one week after the delivery of the final prosthetic solution (T2). Ten subjects were treated with fixed prosthesis following periodontal and implant surgery using a full-digital individualized workflow. Full mouth plaque score, full mouth bleeding score, pocket depth and clinical attachment level improved significantly. VOH was 0.472±0.168 at T0, 0.358±0.166 at T1, and 0.250±0.123 at T2. A significant improvement in VOH was observed from T0 to T1, difference -0.114; 95%CI -0.199 to -0.029;P=0.014. An improvement in VOH was also observed from T1 to T2, difference -0.108; 95%CI -0.200 to -0.015;P=0.027. The percentage increase in VOH from T0 to T2 was 44.3%. Self-perceived assessment of masticatory function improved from T0 to T2 (P=0.002). The fixed prosthetic rehabilitation in patients with stage IV periodontitis allowed for a significant improvement in objective and subjective measurements of masticatory function.