Occlusal Schemes for Implant Restorations: Best Evidence Consensus Statement

Purpose: Numerous studies have focused on the various complications with implant-retained restorations and a common thread in these publications is the potential for occlusal overload. The purpose of this Best Evidence Consensus Statement on implant occlusal schemes was to review the literature to determine the level of scientific evidence upon which the articles are based. Materials and Methods: Limiting the search to Clinical trials, Randomized Controlled Trials, Systematic Reviews, Meta-analyses, the key words: dental implants, occlusion, found no citations. Expanding the search to Journal articles found 1,483 results, 20 of which pertained to the question. Doing a similar search including Journal Articles, the key words: dental implants and occlusal scheme found 47 citations, 17 of which were pertinent to the question. Results: After eliminating duplicates and non-relevant articles, 15 were included in the review. Nineteen additional articles were culled by going through the reference lists in the aforementioned articles. Conclusions: There is a lack of scientific evidence regarding the occlusal scheme utilized with implant restorations that will minimize or eliminate complications. In light of this lack of scientific evidence, the style of occlusion a practitioner utilizes with tooth or mucosal supported prostheses may be used with implant-supported restorations until compelling evidence dictates otherwise.