COMPARISON BETWEEN LOCATER AND MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT SYSTEMS FOR SINGLE IMPLANT RETAINED MANDIBULAR OVERDENTURE (STRAIN GAUGE ANALYSIS)

Abstract

Objective: the aim of this study was to compare stresses induced in locater and magnetic dome type attachments for single implant retained mandibular overdenture by using strain gauge analysis.Material and methods: One clear acrylic model was constructed representing completely edentulous lower ridge. A single implant was placed in the midline region of this model and two identical experimental overdentures were constructed. The first overdenture was fitted to single implant through a locater attachment while the second was fitted to implant through a Magnet Dome attachment. Four strain gauges were installed in labial and lingual surfaces and the right &left sides of single midline implant. A special loading device (universal testing machine) was used to apply standardized static vertical load with a magnitude of 100 N at the right first molar tooth on the occlusal surface of each experimental overdenture.Results: Comparing the two attachments that were studied, the differences were statistically significant, independent T test showed significant difference between Locater and Magnetic attachment groups. Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, it could be concluded that: magnetic attachment induce less stresses than locater attachment in case of single implant retained mandibular overdenture.