Patient-centered and clinical outcomes of mandibular overdentures retained with the locator system: A prospective observational study.
BACKGROUND
Whether clinical or demographic variables affect the perception of treatment in terms of quality of life and satisfaction is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this prospective study was to make an evidence-based assessment of the treatment outcomes (patient- and clinically based) of locator-retained mandibular overdentures.


METHODS
This prospective observational study assessed patients with edentulism who had worn mandibular overdentures supported by 2 implants and retained by the locator system for at least 1 year of functional life (N=80). Medical histories were reviewed, and patients underwent oral examinations. Prosthetic clinical outcomes and patient well-being were registered using the Oral Health Impact Profile 20 (OHIP-20) and Oral Satisfaction Scale (OSS).


RESULTS
Patient well-being scored an overall OHIP-20 score of 19.0 ±14.0 of 80 (the higher the score, the greater the impact and the worse the oral health-related quality of life); overall oral satisfaction was 8.3 ±1.7 of 10. Women suffered greater social impact (0.8 ±1.0) and disability (0.4 ±0.8) than men (0.4 ±0.7 versus 0.2 ±0.4, respectively). Impact on well-being was inversely proportional to both patient age and the age of the prosthesis (r=-0.25; P<.01). Implants had been placed on average 73.6 ±39.2 months previously, showing a survival rate of 82.5%. Most of the overdentures had been functioning for over 60 months. Relining (46.3%), readjustments (82.5%), and changes of nylon retention (1.5 ±1.8 per patient over 60 months of use) devices negatively influenced well-being.


CONCLUSIONS
Mandibular overdentures produced good results with regard to quality of life and oral satisfaction, but attention should be paid to factors affecting clinical outcomes and patient well-being.
Lecturer, Department of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: lucia.fernandez-estevan@uv.es.
Lucia
L
Fernandez-Estevan
Lecturer, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Javier
J
Montero
Lecturer, Department of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Eduardo J
EJ
Selva Otaolaurruchi
Lecturer, Department of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Fernanda
F
Sola Ruiz
D000368:Aged; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000523:psychology; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000523:psychology; D003779:Denture Design; D003823:Denture Rebasing; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000523:psychology; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower / Q000523:psychology; D003828:Denture, Overlay / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D009909:Oral Health; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants