Do sensation differences exist between dental implants and natural teeth?: a meta-analysis

Clin Oral Implants Res. 2014 Nov;25(11):1307-1310. doi: 10.1111/clr.12271. Epub 2013 Oct 6.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to survey evidence pertaining to the sensation differences between natural teeth and osseointegrated dental implants.

Material and methods: Using the MEDLINE (online PubMed) database, Cochrane Library, and Scientific Citation index, we performed a systematic search of articles. We used the following search terms: "perception or sensation and dental implant." The systematic review of the extracted articles was performed to see the sensation differences between natural teeth and dental implants.

Results: A total of six studies on oral sensation, "tactile sensibility," and "thickness discrimination" were included in the meta-analysis. As to the "tactile sensibility", all studies indicated the threshold levels of the implants were about 4-20 times higher than that of natural teeth. The tactile sensibility of an implant was significantly higher than that of a natural tooth, with an standardized mean difference (SMD) of 8.3619 (95% CI, 6.3920-10.3317) and a P < 0.0001. As to the "thickness discrimination", all studies indicated the threshold levels of implants were about 1.2-2.3 times higher than that of natural teeth. The thickness discrimination was significantly higher than that of natural teeth with an SMD of 1.2368 (95% CI, 0.8699-1.6038) and a P < 0.0001.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggested that both tactile sensibility and thickness discrimination thresholds of implants were significantly higher than those of natural teeth. This meta-analysis reconfirms that sensation differences between dental implants and natural teeth exist.

Keywords: implant; meta-analysis; sensation; tactile; thickness.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Dental Implants*
  • Humans
  • Osseointegration / physiology
  • Sensation / physiology*
  • Sensory Thresholds / physiology
  • Stereognosis / physiology
  • Tooth / physiology*
  • Touch / physiology

Substances

  • Dental Implants