Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change in the retentive forces of four different titanium-based implant attachment systems during the simulation of insert–removal cycles in an artificial oral environment. Five types of titanium-based dental implant attachment systems (Locator, Kerator, O-ring, EZ-Lock, and Magnetic) were studied (n = 10). The specimens underwent insert–removal cycles in artificial saliva, and the retentive force was measured following 0, 750, 1500, and 2250 cycles. Significant retention loss was observed in all attachment systems, except the magnetic attachments, upon completion of 2250 insertion and removal cycles, compared to the initial retentive force (p < 0.05). A comparison of the initial retentive forces revealed the highest value for Locator, followed by the Kerator, O-ring, EZ-Lock, and Magnetic attachments. Furthermore, Kerator demonstrated the highest retentive loss, followed by Locator, O-ring, EZ-Lock, and Magnetic attachments after 2250 cycles (p < 0.05). In addition, the Locator and Kerator systems revealed significant decrease in retentive forces at all measurement points (p < 0.05). The retention force according to the insert–removal cycles were significantly different according to the types of dental implant attachment systems.
Highlights
Titanium-based implant-supported overdentures (IOD) have been used as an alternative to conventional dentures for the oral rehabilitation of edentulous patients [1,2]
The highest final retentive force after insertion and removal cycles was demonstrated by the LOC, KER, EZL, ORI, and MAG attachments, in that order
A previous study showed the changes in 4 magnetic-type attachment systems after exposure to 10,000 thermal cycles of distilled water (DW) water between 5 and 55 ◦ C, and the results revealed that such thermocycling caused a significant decrease in retentive force in open-field-type magnetic attachments, when compared with their initial retentive force [43]
Summary
Titanium-based implant-supported overdentures (IOD) have been used as an alternative to conventional dentures for the oral rehabilitation of edentulous patients [1,2]. Titanium implants sustain the residual alveolar bone, thereby, significantly improving the retention, esthetics function, and stability of dentures [3,4]. A previous study reported that IOD improves the chewing efficiency and maximum occlusal force of patients, compared to conventional complete dentures; it significantly improves edentulous patients’ quality of life [5,6,7]. There are several types of each attachment system in the market varying in shape, materials, and retention properties [8,9,10,11]. As the retention force of the attachments systems is related to patients’
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