Evaluation of Different Attachment Systems on Single Implant Retained Mandibular Overdenture

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate bone height around ball and socketand equator attachment in mandibular overdenture retained by single implant. Materialand methods: Ten completely edentulous patients were selected with ages rangingfrom 50-60 years. Single implant was inserted for each patient and they all receivedheat cured acrylic dentures. The ten patients were divided into two groups, group(I) have received ball &socket attachment, group (II) received equator attachment.In the fitting surface of the lower denture two holes where made between 6 and 7acrylic teeth and were filled with radioopaque material (amalgam) . These representedposterior marker areas of evaluation the bone height. Evaluation of bone height aroundthe implant and the posterior edentulous area which were marked for measurementwas done by CAD_CAM CT at the time of attachment placement then after 3 monthsthen 6 months. Results: In our study the comparison of equator and ball and socketattachments regarding the bone height changes around the implant revealed a significantdifference. On the other hand there was an insignificant difference when comparingthe distal extension area between them throughout the six months studies period.Conclusion: According to this study the equator attachment group indicates lessermarginal bone loss, as compared with the ball and socket attachment group, and thereis no difference in bone resorption on the posterior area of the ridge between the twoattachments