title: Protocols for the Maxillary Implant Overdenture: A Systematic Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate patient-related outcomes in restoring the edentulous maxilla with an implant overdenture.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive systematic review of the literature was conducted. Publications reporting patient-based outcomes with concomitant data on implant and/or prosthetic success were selected using predetermined inclusion criteria that were agreed upon by the two reviewers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three publications related to 20 study cohorts were identified to meet the inclusion criteria for maxillary implant overdentures: two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 13 prospective case series including two crossover trials, and five retrospective studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An implant overdenture offers a stabilized removable solution for the edentulous maxilla, which provides increased patient satisfaction and quality of life improvement. A palateless design supported by four to six implants with a wide anteroposterior span has been successfully applied in some investigations. A higher failure rate was experienced with machined implants, particularly with short implants (length < 10 mm). Although both splinted and solitary anchorage systems are advocated, maintenance is higher for solitary attachments and inflammation is increased beneath the bars. Long-term maintenance care is essential for all designs. Well-designed RCTs with larger sample cohorts with longer follow-up periods are required to amplify patient- and clinician-based outcomes.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sadowsky
authors.forename: Nicola U
authors.initials: NU
authors.lastname: Zitzmann
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000379:methods*; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000379:methods; D003824:Denture, Complete; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants