title: Comparing the efficacy of mandibular implant-retained overdentures and conventional dentures among elderly edentulous patients: satisfaction and quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the satisfaction and the quality of life in an elderly population using either mandibular conventional dentures or implant-retained overdentures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 34 patients were divided into two groups: group I - complete dentures users; group II - users of upper complete dentures opposed by implant-retained overdentures. The subjects were submitted to a questionnaire based on Oral Health Impact Profile and oral health related quality of life to evaluate their satisfaction levels and quality of life with their prostheses. Data were evaluated using a non-parametric statistical analysis (Fischer test) with significant difference at alpha = 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the groups in relation to comfort, aesthetics, chewing ability, overall satisfaction, pain, functional, phonetic, social, and psychological limitations (p > 0.05). Comparing the stability of mandibular dentures, group II presented the better results (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the stability of the mandibular implant-retained overdenture was enhanced compared to a conventional denture, the quality of life and satisfaction levels were similar for both the groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Araçatuba Dental School, São Paulo, Brazil. wirley@foa.unesp.br
authors.forename: Wirley Gonçalves
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Assunção
authors.forename: Gláucia Glowacki
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Zardo
authors.forename: Juliana Aparecida
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Delben
authors.forename: Valentim Adelino Ricardo
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Barão
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000523:psychology*; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000523:psychology; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower / Q000523:psychology*; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires