Mandibular overdentures anchored to single implants: a five-year prospective study.
BACKGROUND
It is unknown what minimum number of implants are required to satisfactorily support and retain a mandibular overdenture.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a treatment modality by using mandibular overdentures anchored to single implants in a geriatric patient population.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with a mean age of 74.2 years were treated with single implants inserted at the mandibular midline according to the standard two-stage surgical technique. O-Ring or ball attachments were connected to the implants and served as overdenture anchorage. Implant success rate, improvement of oral comfort and function, condition of the peri-implant soft tissues, Periotest values, and the interproximal marginal bone level were evaluated for up to 5 years after delivery of the overdentures.


RESULTS
None of the implants were lost during the follow-up period. A mean marginal bone loss of 1.42 +/- 0.56 mm was noted at 60 months. Plaque Index was consistently high around the abutments at all reevaluation intervals but was associated with a low Gingival Index. Pocket Depth averaged 2.41 +/- 0.17 mm for the entire follow-up period. Remarkable improvement of oral comfort and function were evidenced with the overdenture treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Rehabilitation with mandibular overdentures anchored to a single implant can be a therapeutic alternative for elderly patients experiencing discomfort and functional difficulties with conventional mandibular dentures.
Cordioli
G
G
Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Padova, Italy.
Majzoub
Z
Z
Castagna
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000473:pathology; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000473:pathology; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003834:Denture Precision Attachment; D003781:Denture Retention; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology; D009055:Mouth / Q000502:physiology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000473:pathology; D010519:Periodontium / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants