Successful outcome of splinted implants supporting a 'planned' maxillary overdenture: a retrospective evaluation and comparison with fixed full dental prostheses.
OBJECTIVE
Whereas an overdenture concept is generally accepted for the mandible, the outcome of this therapy for the maxilla remains less documented. This retrospective analysis evaluated the peri-implant parameters of implants supporting a 'planned' overdenture in the maxilla, and compared these data with those of an age-matched control group, with a fixed full dental prosthesis.


METHODS
All patients with an implant-supported overdenture in the maxilla from the Leuven University Hospital (at least 12 months in function) were recalled for a thorough examination. Forty-four patients (162 implants, Brånemark type) could be enrolled.


RESULTS
The mean loading time was 9 years (range: >1 to >20 years). The cumulative survival rate after 10 years of function was 99.3% if four to six interconnected implants supported the overdenture, but only 85.7% in case two non-connected implants were used as support. The marginal bone level in the former group remained stable, with changes comparable with those observed for implants supporting fixed full dental prostheses.


CONCLUSIONS
These results fully support the overdenture treatment concept for the maxilla, at least when > or =4 splinted implants are used.
Sanna
A
A
Department of Periodontology, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Nuytens
P
P
Naert
I
I
Quirynen
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003781:Denture Retention; D003827:Denture, Complete, Upper; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D010516:Periodontal Splints; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants