Comparison of Masticatory Efficiency Between Single-Piece Implant-Supported Crowns and Conventional Fixed Partial Dentures for Single Posterior Tooth Replacement: A 12-Month Prospective Observational Study

INTRODUCTION: Single posterior tooth loss impairs masticatory function, dietary choices, and quality of life. This prospective clinical study compared masticatory efficiency and functional adaptation between single-piece implant-supported crowns and conventional tooth-supported fixed partial dentures (FPDs) over a 12-month period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty partially edentulous patients (aged 25-60 years) requiring single posterior tooth replacement were consecutively allocated into two equal groups (n = 30 each). Group 1 received single-piece titanium implants with cemented monolithic zirconia crowns after three-month osseointegration. Group 2 received conventional three-unit metal-ceramic FPDs. Masticatory efficiency was assessed at three-, six-, and 12-month post-loading using a standardized almond comminution test. The chewed particles were dried and sieved, and the masticatory performance (MP%) was calculated. Data were analyzed using independent-sample t-tests for intergroup comparisons and repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post-hoc tests for intragroup changes (p < 0.05). RESULTS: All 60 patients completed the study with comparable baseline characteristics. The implant group showed significantly higher MP than the FPD group at all time points: 28.4 ± 4.2% vs. 22.6 ± 3.8% at three months (p = 0.001), 32.1 ± 3.7% vs. 25.4 ± 3.9% at six months (p = 0.001), and 35.7 ± 3.9% vs. 28.3 ± 4.1% at 12 months (p = 0.001). Both groups improved significantly over time, with Bonferroni tests confirming significant gains between all the intervals in each group. The implant group showed greater improvement throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Single-piece implant-supported crowns provided superior masticatory efficiency and faster functional adaptation than conventional FPDs for single posterior tooth replacement.