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Purpose: Occlusal overload may contribute to the loss of osseointegration of oral implants,
so some clinicians are reluctant to place implants in patients with signs of bruxism. This
study evaluated the effect of occlusal wear as a probable sign of bruxism on bone loss and
implant stability. Materials and Methods: The study investigated 379 patients who had
worn implant-retained or implant-supported restorations for many years. Occlusal wear,
patient age and gender, time of prosthetic loading, jaw, location in the dental arch,
implant diameter, prosthesis construction, occlusal material, periimplantitis, and loosening
of the prosthetic construction were recorded. One implant from each patient was selected
for radiographic and Periotest measurements. The implant with the highest bone resorption
was chosen. A forward stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to
analyze the effect of the explanatory variables on Periotest value and radiographic bone
loss. Results: The statistical models could account for part of the variation in bone loss rate
and Periotest value. Some influence of time of loading, jaw, and implant diameter on bone
loss or Periotest value was formally established. Occlusal wear failed to have any statistical
impact on vertical annual bone loss rate or Periotest value. Conclusion: This study gave no
indication that implants in patients with occlusal wear have an increased bone loss rate or
Periotest value.
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