The mandibular staple bone plate: a long-term retrospective evaluation.

Abstract

Clinical and radiographic parameters and denture satisfaction were evaluated in a long-term retrospective study of patients treated with the mandibular staple bone plate. Fifty-six edentulous patients were treated with the mandibular staple bone plate to stabilize their lower denture. The mean evaluation period was 103 months (range, 84 to 139 months). Peri-implant mucosa and bone height were scored, together with quality of the prosthesis and prosthodontic maintenance care. Denture satisfaction was assessed by using two questionnaires. Four staple bone plates were removed during the evaluation period, and one appeared to be fractured. The remaining 51 staple bone plates were functional without any signs of major complications (survival rate, 91%). No further alveolar resorption in the interforaminal region of the mandible took place during the evaluation period. Patients were very satisfied with the prosthetic construction. The mandibular staple bone plate is a good modality to stabilize the lower denture. However, endosseous implant systems are preferred because of comparable success rates with a more simple operative procedure.