Evaluation of Biting Force of New Design of Extracoronal Castable Precision Attachment versus Conventional Partial Denture for Treatment of Unilateral Mandibular Distal Extension Area: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate biting force of patients with unilateral mandibular distal extension area treated with two different designs of the removable partial denture (RPD), conventional RPD, and new design of extracoronal castable precision attachment (OT Unilateral attachment).
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 16 patients with unilateral mandibular distal extension area with the second premolar is the last abutment teeth. The patients were divided into two equal groups, Group I received conventional RPD, which provides cross arch stabilization and a double Aker clasp was fabricated. Group II received new design of extracoronal castable precision attachment (OT Unilateral attachment). Evaluation of biting force by loadstar sensor, patients of both groups were evaluated at the time of prosthesis insertion, 3, 6, and 1 year later. Statistical analysis performing one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s post hoc test to compare between all follow-up periods within each group, comparison between two groups regarding each follow-up period was performed by independent t-test.
 RESULTS: Both treatments yielded better after-treatment summary when compared with the baseline; however, better results were obtained and showed a statistically significant increase in Group II (OT unilateral design), especially after 3, 6 months, and 1 year later.
 CONCLUSION: From the results of this study, it was concluded that: It is preferable to use the new design of extracoronal castable precision attachment (OT unilateral) being simpler, more comfortable to the patients and give high masticatory efficiency in the form of biting force than conventional RPD.