title: A quality-of-life comparison between self-aligning and ball attachment systems for 2-implant-retained mandibular overdentures.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the self-aligning overdenture attachment system by comparing its oral health-related quality of life (OHRQL) with a traditionally used ball attachment system. In this randomized, within-subject crossover trial, 25 edentulous subjects each received 2 mandibular implants, and were then assigned to receive either self-aligning or traditional ball attachments. After 3 months, all subjects were switched to the second attachment type. The OHRQL was evaluated for both of the treatments using the short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). A subanalysis among subjects with below-average space available for attachment placement was also performed. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare differences between groups. Scores on the OHIP-14 physical disability domain were significantly better for the self-aligning attachment system (P  =  .049). Among subjects with below-average attachment space, functional limitation, psychological discomfort, physical disability, psychological disability, and total OHIP-14, scores were significantly better for the self-aligning attachment system (P  =  .041, P  =  .047, P  =  .048, P  =  .026, and P  =  .005, respectively). The self-aligning attachment system for 2-implant-retained mandibular overdentures is equal or superior to traditional ball attachments in all domains of the OHIP-14.
authors.affiliation: Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bilhan
authors.forename: Onur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Geckili
authors.forename: Tonguc
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sulun
authors.forename: Tayfun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bilgin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000523:psychology; D003779:Denture Design; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants