title: Patient responses to dental implant-retained mandibular overdenture therapy: a 6-year clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to record subjective patient experiences with respect to the surgical placement of dental implants and the functioning of mandibular implant-retained overdentures versus conventional dentures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Completely edentulous patients (n = 56) unable to wear a conventional mandibular complete denture were each treated with 4 one-stage titanium plasma sprayed or Sandblasted Large-grit Acid-etched (SLA) screw implants and overdentures retained by a cast bar with extracoronal attachments. Fifty-six patients were subsequently clinically evaluated over a period of up to 6 years. Fifty-three patients responded to questions on their experiences prior to and after treatment with implant retained overdentures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No implants or restorations failed during the observation period. Most of the patients (96%) felt satisfied with their new overdentures, and reported their new dentures fit comfortably.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of implants to retain and support the denture improved comfort, giving the patients more self-confidence and improved social interaction, in addition to oral rehabilitation. This study demonstrates rehabilitation of the mandibluar arch with an implant-retained overdenture is a predictable treat-
authors.affiliation: Department of General Dentistry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan. shalom.dc@msa.hinet.net
authors.forename: Yu-Hwa
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Lance C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Ramp
authors.forename: Perng-Ru
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants