title: Clinical evaluation of mandibular implant overdentures via Locator implant attachment and Locator bar attachment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical findings and patient satisfaction on implant overdenture designed with Locator implant attachment or Locator bar attachment in mandibular edentulous patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Implant survival rate, marginal bone loss, probing depth, peri-implant inflammation, bleeding, plaque, calculus, complications, and satisfaction were evaluated on sixteen patients who were treated with mandibular overdenture and have used it for at least 1 year (Locator implant attachment: n=8, Locator bar attachment: n=8).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Marginal bone loss, probing depth, plaque index of the Locator bar attachment group were significantly lower than the Locator implant attachment group (P<.05). There was no significant difference on bleeding, peri-implant inflammation, and patient satisfaction between the two denture types (P>.05). The replacement of the attachment components was the most common complication in both groups. Although there was no correlation between marginal bone loss and plaque index, a significant correlation was found between marginal bone loss and probing depth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Locator bar attachment group indicates lesser marginal bone loss and need for maintenance, as compared with the Locator implant attachment group. This may be due to the splinting effect among implants rather than the types of Locator attachment.
authors.affiliation: Prosthodontics, Dental Research Insititute, Pusan Natinal University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Prosthodontics, Dental Research Insititute, Pusan Natinal University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Bin
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Prosthodontics, Dental Research Insititute, Pusan Natinal University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Prosthodontics, Dental Research Insititute, Pusan Natinal University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: So-Hyoun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Prosthodontics, Dental Research Insititute, Pusan Natinal University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Jung
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3093-8406
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Prosthodontics, Dental Research Insititute, Pusan Natinal University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Mo
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Prosthodontics, Dental Research Insititute, Pusan Natinal University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Chan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Prosthodontics, Dental Research Insititute, Pusan Natinal University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Bo
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7578-1989
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Huh
keywords: Clinical complication; Edentulous mandible; Implant overdenture; Locator bar attachment; Locator implant attachment