A Positive Correlation Between Occlusal Trauma and Peri-implant Bone Loss: Literature Support

The relationship between occlusal overload and peri-implant bone loss remains a controversial topic in implant dentistry. A causal relationship between the incidence of marginal bone loss next to an implant and occlusal overload implies a treatment plan and occlusal scheme would benefit from a force management approach. A MEDLINE-assisted and hand search of peer-reviewed English literature and relative textbooks were used for a selective review of articles addressing biomechanical stress and bone loss in cellular biomechanics, engineering principles, mechanical properties of bone, animal studies, clinical reports, bone physiology, and implant design biomechanics. These papers demonstrate occlusal overload on implants may increase the incidence of marginal bone loss.