Can general dentists produce successful implant overdentures with minimal training?
OBJECTIVE
This study was carried out to determine whether inexperienced dentists can provide two-implant overdentures that are as satisfactory and of the same cost as those provided by experienced prosthodontists.


METHODS
Edentulous elders were enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial to compare the effects of mandibular conventional and two-implant overdentures on nutrition. They were randomly assigned to groups that were treated by either an experienced prosthodontist or by a newly-graduated dentist with minimal training in implant treatment. Data for this study were obtained during the treatment of the first 140 subjects enrolled. The change in patient ratings of satisfaction after treatment, laboratory costs and the number of unscheduled visits up to 6 months following prosthesis delivery were compared.


RESULTS
Satisfaction was significantly higher with implant overdentures than with conventional dentures, but there were no differences in scores for either prosthesis between the groups treated by experienced specialists or new dentists. Furthermore, six of the seven inexperienced dentists reported that they found the mandibular two-implant overdenture easier to provide than the conventional denture.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that general dentists can provide successful mandibular two-implant overdentures with minimal training.
Esfandiari
Shahrokh
S
Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Lund
James P
JP
Thomason
J Mark
JM
Dufresne
Eric
E
Kobayashi
Taira
T
Dubois
Melanie
M
Feine
Jocelyne S
JS
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003757:Dental Implantation / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000191:economics; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower / Q000191:economics; D003828:Denture, Overlay / Q000191:economics; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011476:Prosthodontics / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires