Effectiveness of maxillary overdentures supported by implants: maintenance and prosthetic complications.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prosthetic complications with implant-supported overdentures in the maxilla.


METHODS
Forty-one patients (mean age 61 years) were consecutively admitted for treatment from 1991 to 1998. A total of 173 ITI implants were placed. Four to six implants either connected with a bar (34 overdentures) or with single anchors (seven overdentures) supported the denture, and only a few parties had fewer than four implants. The overdentures had a horseshoe design and were reinforced by a cast-metal framework. The mean observation time was 3.2 years. Oral hygiene and periimplant parameters were regularly assessed, and records were kept of prosthetic maintenance service. All prosthetic complications encountered were classified related to (1) implant components and anchorage devices, (2) mechanical and structural failures of dentures, or (3) denture-related adjustments.


RESULTS
Three implants did not osseointegrate, and five implants were lost after loading. Thus, the overall survival rate of the implants was 95.5%. Altogether, 85 prosthetic complications were encountered. The most frequent finding was retightening of the bar screw and adjustments of the bar retainers. Repair of dentures was not frequent and was mostly related to broken teeth. No fracture of dentures was observed. Renewal of dentures occurred twice, once after loss of all implants in one patient. Thirty-nine overdentures had been continuously worn; thus, the overall denture stability was 95%. Mucosal irritation and need for occlusal adjustment were the most frequent findings in the first year. Over time, a decrease of complications was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Planned maxillary overdentures supported by implants are a successful treatment modality on a short-term basis.
Kiener
P
P
Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Berne, Switzerland.
Oetterli
M
M
Mericske
E
E
Mericske-Stern
R
R
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000009:adverse effects; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003819:Denture Bases; D003779:Denture Design; D003823:Denture Rebasing; D003780:Denture Repair; D003781:Denture Retention; D003828:Denture, Overlay / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019558:Occlusal Adjustment; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D016348:Osseointegration; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013282:Stomatitis, Denture / Q000209:etiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants