(SPLINT BAR VERSUS INDIVIDUAL COPINGS IN TOOTH IMPLANT RESTORATION (A TWO YEARS LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Abstract

This study was carried on sixteen patients ranging in age between 50 to 60 years of age. They were selected from the Outpatient Clinic of Prosthodontic Department, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University.

All patients have completely edentulous upper ridges with two retained lower canines. The two canines were endodontically treated with coronal amputation to a height of 2-3 mm shoJi. Dome shaped preparation were performed to act as anterior abutments while osseointegrated implants on both right and left sides were installed to act as posterior abutment.

Patients were divided into two equal groups (eight each). Each patient of the first group has received overdenture with separate copings, while the patients ofthe second group have received overdentures with connected bars. For the second group, 2/3 of the endodontic filling material was removed and golden post and core was made. On top of it, Schubiger attachment was soldered to connect the canine to the posterior abutment (the implant) by Hader bar attachment.

Five parameters were evaluated and examined which were gingival index, crevicular fluid, crevicular temperature, pocket depth, tooth and implant mobility as well as bone denisty. Each of them was recorded at the start of the investigation, after one month and every three months till the end of the second year.

From this study the following points could be concluded:

• The gingival status was within normal ranges showing signs of. mild inflammation but the number of the affected surfaces were higher in the second group than the first group.

.. • Regarding the crevicular temperature and the crevicular fluid there was a significant difference between the two groups but there was no significant increase over the time for both parameters.

• Regarding the mobility, clinical data recorded in this study showed no clinical mobility.