Occlusal Principles and Considerations for Implants: An Overview

The treatment planning phase of implant prostheses is dependent on the restorative dentist's knowledge and experience in prosthetic dentistry. Clinically, for implant prostheses, natural occlusal concepts can be applied. However, a natural tooth has a support design i.e. periodontal ligament that reduces the forces to the surrounding crest of bone compared to the same region around an implant. If biomechanical stresses are likely to increase in a clinical condition, occlusal mechanisms to decrease the stresses should be implemented by the dentist and an occlusal scheme should be developed that minimizes risk factors and allows the restoration to function in harmony with the rest of the stomatognathic system. Implant-protected occlusion is proposed as a way to overcome mechanical stresses and strain from the oral musculature and occlusion, by avoiding initial and long-term loss of crestal bone surrounding implant fixtures. Implant-protected occlusion can be accomplished by factors like decreasing the width of the occlusal table, increasing the surface area of implants, reducing the magnification of the force and improving the force direction. The dentist can minimize overload on bone-implant interfaces and implant prostheses, maintain an implant load within the physiological limits of individualized occlusion, and ultimately provide long-term stability of implants and implant prostheses by following above mentioned factors.