Bone level changes in single mandibular implant – retained overdenture Cases

Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate the bone level changes in single mandibular implant-retained overdenture cases opposed by maxillary natural teeth. Twenty one patients with edentulous mandible were selected from the out patient clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University. Occlusal adjustment of maxillary natural teeth was performed for every patient to create a harmonious occlusion. The patients were divided into 3 groups (control, ball, and bar group), each group consisted of 7 patients. Group I: Control group: Every patient received conventional single mandibuar denture. For the rest of patients, two titanium; self-threaded endosseous implants (IMTEC) were inserted in the mandibular canine area for ball and bar groups. After the healing and osseointegration period (4 months), the fixtures were exposed and overdentures were constructed. Group II: Ball group: Patients of this group received mandibular implant-retained overdentures using O-ring attachments. Group III: Bar group: Patients of this group received mandibular implant- retained overdentures using bar and clip attachments. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were carried out for every patient at 3 months interval up to one year from functional loading. Clinical assessment of the implants and natural teeth were performed using the plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, epithelial attachment level and mobility. The radiographic evaluation included the use of indirect digitalized panoramic X-ray to detect bone level changes around implants, in posterior mandibular ridge area, and natural teeth.