Comparison of 2 retentive systems for implant-supported overdentures: soft tissue management and evaluation of patient satisfaction.
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.
Karabuda
Cuneyt
C
Department of Oral Implantology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Istanbul, Turkey. zcuneyt@hotmail.com
Tosun
Tosun
T
Ermis
Evren
E
Ozdemir
Tayfun
T
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