title: The effect of attachment type and implant number on satisfaction and quality of life of mandibular implant-retained overdenture wearers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life and patient satisfaction outcomes of two attachment systems in mandibular overdentures with different numbers of supporting implants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-two edentulous patients with either splinted or single attachments in mandibular implant overdentures with different numbers of supporting interforaminal implants were investigated for patient satisfaction and quality of life in this retrospective study. Comparisons between groups were perceived by the Mann-Whitney U test. Relations among the parameters were investigated by Spearman's rho correlation analysis. The results were evaluated statistically at a significance level of p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant association is found between visual analogue scales scores and attachment type as well as implant number (p > 0.05), whereas Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 total scores for patients with 4-implant-supported bars were significantly lower than all the other attachment types (p < 0.05). Additionally, a negative (rate = 32.2%), statistically significant association between period of edentulism and total OHIP-14 scores was detected (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A mandibular implant-retained overdenture supported with four implants and bar attachments shows the highest 'quality of life' score and patient satisfaction is not influenced by the number of implants or attachment type.
authors: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. emremum@yahoo.com
authors: Emre
authors: E
authors: Mumcu
authors: Hakan
authors: H
authors: Bilhan
authors: Onur
authors: O
authors: Geckili
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000523:psychology; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000523:psychology*; D003819:Denture Bases; D003779:Denture Design; D003823:Denture Rebasing; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower / Q000523:psychology; D003828:Denture, Overlay / Q000523:psychology*; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants