Rigidly splinted implants in the resorbed maxilla to retain a hinging overdenture: a series of clinical reports for up to 4 years.
BACKGROUND
The results of the implant overdenture treatment in the maxilla remains inferior to those in the mandible. Different reasons have been alluded to, such as bone quality and quantity, number of implants, as well as the prosthesis design.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the latter, a new design for the rehabilitation of the resorbed maxillae was set up.


METHODS
Thirteen patients were selected and provided with four endosseous maxillary implants, splinted with a rigid-cast bar.


RESULTS
After a mean loading time of 3 years, six implants were lost; three at abutment and another three shortly after abutment connection, resulting in a cumulative success rate of 88.6% at year 4. A mean marginal bone loss of 0.3 mm was observed within the first year. After the first year, the marginal bone level, the attachment level, and the Periotest scores hardly changed. The main prosthetic complication was the frequent need to renew or to activate the attachments. A strong improvement in patient satisfaction was observed when compared with the old conventional denture.


CONCLUSIONS
Within the limits of this study, the outcome confirmed that, on a medium-term base, implant-retained hinging overdentures on four implants were promising.
Naert
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I
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oral Pathology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
Gizani
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S
van Steenberghe
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention / Q000295:instrumentation; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000009:adverse effects; D003834:Denture Precision Attachment; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005885:Gingival Hyperplasia / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010516:Periodontal Splints; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013282:Stomatitis, Denture / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants