Since the early application of dental implants the biomechanical behaviour of the implant supported prostheses and the distribution of the forces of the stomatognathic system along the different components of the prostheses have been studied in depth and there are protocols that guide us in order to avoid overloading. 

Overloading of implant prostheses and implants along with peri-implantitis are the two major causes of complications and ultimately failure of implants and implant prostheses. 

The fundamental principles of mechanics which apply during the study of distribution of forces on implant supported prostheses have been developed in depth and remain constant from the beginning of the application of dental implants. During the evolution of techniques and materials throughout the years the clinical application of these same principles dictate the development of appropriate protocols for the achievement of clinical success. During this presentation we will travel through the historical progress of these protocols and discuss the procedures we use today for the planning, the fabrication and the maintenance of implant supported prostheses in order to control the force distribution and avoid overloading complications.