A prospective study of single stage surgery for implant supported overdentures.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical and psychological outcomes with ball attachment supported mandibular overdentures on Branemark implants placed in a single stage surgical approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixteen edentulous patients aged 32-74, with atrophic (flat) mandibular residual alveolar ridges, and a history of having difficulty coping with technically adequate mandibular dentures made within the last 2 years were recruited. Mark II Branemark implants were placed using a single stage surgical technique with healing abutments placed at time of surgery. Mandibular complete dentures were modified by relieving the areas over the abutments and a resilient liner was placed. After a period of 3 months, healing abutments were replaced with ball abutments and new complete dentures were made and the patients followed for a period of 2 years. Patients completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and answered further questions relating to the functional and psychological impact of complete denture wearing before treatment and 3 months after the dentures were provided. Patients additionally completed the GHQ 2 years after overdenture insertion.


RESULTS
Six patients suffered from loss of one of their two implants in the first 2 years after placement. Three of the implants had failed to osseointegrate, which was detected at initial loading 3 months after placement. General Health Questionnaire scores were statistically significantly reduced after treatment and the improvement was maintained over 2 years. Responses to the functional and psychological questions were similarly improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Single stage surgery led to a higher rate of implant failure than expected. Patients showed significant psychological health benefits from the treatment provided.
Fenlon
Michael R
MR
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, GKT Dental Institute, King's College, London, UK. michael.fenlon@kcl.ac.uk
Palmer
Richard M
RM
Palmer
Paul
P
Newton
Jonathan T
JT
Sherriff
Martyn
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001284:Atrophy; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003822:Denture Liners; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower / Q000523:psychology; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D015921:Dental Implants