Mandibular overdentures retained by two implants: 10-year results from a crossover clinical trial comparing ball-socket and bar-clip attachments.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction and clinical and prosthetic outcomes of two-implant mandibular overdenture treatment with different attachment types after 10 years of function.


METHODS
In a crossover clinical trial, 18 edentulous subjects with complaints regarding their mandibular dentures received two implants and a new denture with magnet, ball-socket, or bar-clip attachments that were applied in a random order. At the end of the experiment, the attachment type of their choosing was fitted in the overdenture. After 10 years, 7 subjects with a ball-socket and 7 subjects with a bar-clip attachment were available for evaluation. The same questionnaire from 10 years before was completed, and subjects were asked to express their overall appreciation of their dentures on a visual analog scale (VAS). Six scales of denture complaints were constructed. Mean scale and VAS scores between initial evaluation and after 10 years were compared. In addition, marginal probing depths, Bleeding Index, and radiographic marginal bone loss were assessed.


RESULTS
There was no marked difference in satisfaction between subjects with ball-socket- and bar-clip-retained two-implant mandibular overdentures at initial evaluation and after 10 years of function.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients' appreciation of their implant-retained denture was and remained high over time. Clinical parameters revealed healthy mucosal conditions and stable marginal bone levels, determined radiographically. Probing depths around implants provided with ball-socket attachments were slightly shallower than those with bar-clip attachments after 10 years of function (P < .05).
Cune
Marco
M
Department of Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics, Center for Dentistry and Oral Hygiene, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands. m.s.cune@med.umcg.nl
Burgers
Mark
M
van Kampen
Frits
F
de Putter
Cornelis
C
van der Bilt
Andries
A
D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003779:Denture Design; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification; D011859:Radiography; D013499:Surface Properties; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants