title: Comparison of 2 retentive systems for implant-supported overdentures: soft tissue management and evaluation of patient satisfaction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to compare the peri-implant soft tissue health status of implants supporting overdentures with bar attachments or ball attachments in the mandible, as well as patient satisfaction with these attachment types.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included a Dolder bar group with 18 cases (43 implants) and a ball attachment group with 18 cases (51 implants). The mean function period in the Dolder bar group was 49 months (range: 12 to 72 months) and in the ball attachment group, the mean was 23 months (range: 12 to 40 months). Implants were clinically evaluated by using a modified plaque index (mPI), modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI), and probing depths. Patient satisfaction with the treatment was recorded using a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  mPI, probing depth, and mSBI did not statistically differ between groups (Mann-Whitney U test, P > 0.05). Patient satisfaction was similar with both retentive systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limits of this study, we concluded that there was no significant difference between the 2 attachment types used for implant-supported overdentures with respect to the soft tissue health status or patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Implantology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Istanbul, Turkey. zcuneyt@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Cuneyt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karabuda
authors.forename: Tosun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tosun
authors.forename: Evren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ermis
authors.forename: Tayfun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ozdemir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003834:Denture Precision Attachment; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000523:psychology*; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010512:Periodontal Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014945:Wound Healing