Implant-retained Overdentures Research Articles

Prosthetic restorative modality in complete edentulism and its association with masticatory and speech discomforts: A nationwide cross-sectional study from Korea.

Purpose Completely edentulous arches can be restored using various prosthetic modalities, and the treatment outcome may include masticatory and speech discomforts. This study aimed to investigate the current status of prosthetic restoration modalities used for completely edentulous patients and investigate the association between prosthetic restoration modalities and subjective discomfort in mastication and speech by analyzing nationwide big data.Methods Of 97,622 individuals, data from 1,576 adults aged ≥40 years with no natural teeth and no requirement for additional prosthetic treatments were included. Oral examination data were analyzed, and the prostheses of the edentulous arches were categorized as follows: CD, removable complete denture; OD, implant-retained overdenture; and IF, implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis. Discomforts in mastication and speech according to the prosthetic restorative modality groups was statistically analyzed using analysis of covariance (α = 0.05).Results The maxillary/mandibular prosthetic restorative modality most commonly used was CD/CD, followed by CD/OD, IF/IF, OD/OD, and CD/IF, with weighted percentages of 93.23%, 2.48%, 1.83%, 1.46%, and 0.84%, respectively. Even after adjusting for various covariates, masticatory discomfort in the CD/CD group was significantly greater than that in the OD/OD (P = 0.0004) and IF/IF (P = 0.0002). The CD/CD group also had significantly greater discomfort in speech than did the IF/IF group (P = 0.0119).Conclusions Most completely edentulous patients were rehabilitated with bimaxillary removable complete dentures; however, the discomforts in mastication and speech were the lowest when both arches were restored with implant-supported fixed restorations.

Prosthetic rehabilitation with removable dentures positively influences quality of life in older patients: a systematic review

Objective: This systematic review assessed the effects of prosthetic rehabilitation with removable dentures on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in older adults. Methods: A comprehensive electronic search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases to identify randomized clinical trials and prospective clinical studies. The included studies evaluated the effects of prosthetic rehabilitation on OHRQoL in patients whose mean age was > 60 years. The interventions included complete dentures, implant-retained overdentures, and removable partial prostheses, with a minimum follow-up period of 1 month after prosthetic rehabilitation. Patient-reported outcome measures, specifically OHRQoL, were the primary outcome. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for randomized clinical trials and the ROBINS-I tool for prospective clinical studies. Results: Eleven articles were considered eligible for the systematic review. The findings indicated that removable dentures improved various OHRQoL domains, mainly functional limitations and physical and psychological disabilities. Retention, stability, comfort, speech, and masticatory efficiency were significantly better with implant overdentures than complete dentures, leading to higher patient satisfaction and OHRQoL. Conclusions: This systematic review suggests that prosthetic rehabilitation with removable dentures has a positive influence on OHRQoL in older patients. The findings highlight the beneficial impact of implant overdentures and fixed adhesive prostheses for enhancing functional outcomes and patient satisfaction. PROSPERO Registration: CRD42020209175.

Quality of life, patient preferences, and implant survival and success of tapered implant-retained mandibular overdentures as a function of the attachment system.

A novel attachment system for implant-retained overdentures (IRODs) with novel material combinations for improved mechanical resilience and prosthodontic success (Novaloc) has been recently introduced as an alternative to an existing system (Locator). This study investigated whether differences between the Novaloc and Locator attachment systems translate into differences in implant survival, implant success, and patient-centered outcomes when applied in a real-world in-practice comparative setting in patients restored with mandibular IRODs supported by 2 interforaminal implants (2-IRODs). This prospective, intra-subject crossover comparison compared 20 patients who received 2 intra-foraminal bone level tapered implants restored with full acrylic overdentures using either the Locator or Novaloc attachment system. After 6 months of function, the attachment in the corresponding dentures was switched, and the definitive attachment system type was delivered based on the patient's preference after 12 months. For the definitive attachment system, implant survival was evaluated after 24 months. The primary outcomes of this study were oral health-related quality of life and patient preferences related to prosthetic and implant survival. Secondary outcomes included implant survival rate and success, prosthetic survival, perceived general health, and patient satisfaction. Patient-centered outcomes and patient preferences between attachment systems were comparable, with relatively high overall patient satisfaction levels for both attachment systems. No difference in the prosthetic survival rate between study groups was detected. The implant survival rate over the follow-up period after 24 months in both groups was 100%. The results of this in-practice comparison indicate that both attachment systems represent comparable candidates for the prosthodontic retention of 2-IRODs. Both systems showed high rates of patient satisfaction and implant survival. The influence of material combinations of the retentive system on treatment outcomes between the tested systems remains inconclusive and requires further investigations.

One-Year Multicenter Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing OT Equator® and Locator Attachments to Retain an Early Loaded Implant Overdenture on Two Implants.

This investigation aimed to compare the effectiveness of the OT Equator® (Rhein, Bologna, Italy) and the Locator attachment systems used to retain early loaded implant-retained overdentures. This study was designed as a multicenter randomised controlled trial of parallel groups. After implant placement, the patients were randomised to receive OT Equator® attachments in the test group or Locator attachments in the control group. The outcome measures were implant and prosthetic success and survival rates, any biological and technical complication, marginal bone loss, patients' satisfaction, and periodontal parameters. Overall, 42 patients were consecutively enrolled and treated. One implant was lost in the control group, while no implants were lost in the test group. No prostheses failed in both groups. Only a few complications were experienced in both groups. The main was represented by loss of retention of the attachments (retentive caps). The OT Equator® attachment showed statistically lower periodontal parameters. In conclusion, both attachment systems were suitable for overdenture implant retention.

Bibliometric assessment in implant-retained overdenture articles: Mapping citation and journal impact factor trends

Statement of problemImplant-retained overdentures are a recognized treatment option. However, a comprehensive assessment of all articles on implant-retained overdentures to identify publication standards such as mean citation and the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) impact factor is lacking. PurposeThe purpose of this bibliometric assessment was to evaluate the association of mean citation and JCR impact factor with bibliometric parameters in articles on implant-retained overdentures. Material and methodsArticles reporting randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized controlled clinical trials (N-RCTs); case reports and series; retrospective studies; and in silico, in vitro, or systematic reviews in 6 databases were included. Data were extracted, and 2 multiple Poisson regressions analyses were applied (α=.05). The dependent variables were mean citation and JCR impact factor, which were evaluated to identify their association with bibliometric parameters by using prevalence ratio (PR) values. ResultsA total of 1369 articles published from 1986 to 2021 were included. The data revealed a high mean citation and high JCR impact factor for RCT, N-RCT, retrospective, and in vitro studies (P<.05). In silico studies presented a high mean citation (P<.001). Senior researchers with a high h-index were more likely to have a high mean citation and publications with a high JCR impact factor (P<.001). Also, senior authors associated with an international network were more likely to have a high mean citation (P=.001). High-income countries had more studies with a high mean citation and JCR impact factor (P<.05). Higher JCR impact factors were associated with articles evaluating only the maxilla or mandible (P<.05). The topics “implant setting” and “macrodesign” were associated with a high mean citation (P<.05). ConclusionsThe publication trends suggest a high mean citation and a high JCR impact factor for clinical designs (RCT, N-RCT, retrospective) and in vitro studies. The same pattern was also displayed for researchers with a high h-index and located in high-income countries.

The impact of implant-retained overdentures on type-2 diabetic and non-diabetic edentulous patients: Satisfaction and quality of life in a prospective cohort study

ObjectivesTo evaluate the benefits of implant therapy for patients with diabetes, we compared (i) healthy, (ii) well controlled T2DM and (iii) poorly controlled T2DM patients, in terms of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and satisfaction with mandibular 2-implant overdentures over 12 months following restoration. Materials and methodsThis single-center, prospective, cohort study recruited 165 edentulous adults (HbA1c<12%) to receive two endosseous implants in the anterior mandible to support mandibular overdentures. Participants were enrolled as having T2DM or not, with T2DM participants divided according to HbA1c into well-controlled (<8.1%) and poorly controlled (≥ 8.1%) groups. Participants provided responses to the OHIP-20 (OHRQoL) and the McGill Denture Satisfaction Questionnaire, before implant therapy and 6 and 12 months after overdenture insertion using Locator attachments. HbA1c was measured at the same time points. The effect of groups and time was verified using generalized estimating equations (α=0.025). ResultsAt 12 months, 137 participants provided responses. The two diabetes groups showed improvements in OHRQoL to the same extent as the non-diabetic control group at both 6 and 12 months. Patient satisfaction showed similar improvements with no between-group differences and similar increases identified at 6 and 12 months. HbA1c was not affected by time or groups. ConclusionsDental implant therapy provided significant improvements in patient-perceived benefits of mandibular two-implant overdentures for T2DM individuals, which are similar to those found for healthy edentulous individuals. Importantly, those benefits extend to those individuals with poorly controlled glycaemia. The addition of 2-implant supported mandibular overdentures did not affect glycaemic status over 12 months following insertion. Clinical SignificanceAs risks for implant therapy relative to glycaemic status are better understood, this study documents that implant therapy may offer important benefits in QoL for T2DM patients independent of glycaemic status.

Rehabilitation of Edentulous Maxilla and Mandible with Microstomia and Limited Mouth Opening using Commissurotomy, Vestibuloplasty, and Implant-retained Overdenture: A Long-term Follow-up of 12 years

Rehabilitation of Edentulous Maxilla and Mandible with Microstomia and Limited Mouth Opening using Commissurotomy, Vestibuloplasty, and Implant-retained Overdenture: A Long-term Follow-up of 12 years

Mastication Wear of Two Low Profile Attachment Systems for Overdenture: An In Vitro Study.

Edentulism is still a major problem in the world's population today. Implant-retained overdenture has proven to be a valid therapeutic solution in the mandible. This type of rehabilitation requires replacement of the matrices when those reach inadequate retention due to wearing processes. This study is aimed at evaluating the drop in retention of low-profile precision attachments following the application of vertical chewing forces. Two different attachment designs were compared. This in vitro study simulated an implant-retained overdenture on an edentulous mandible. Two low-profile attachments were compared. Loaded and unloaded sides were considered. Tests were performed by exerting a vertical cyclic force on the prosthesis at the level of the first molar of a hemiarch. Retention tests were performed before and after 400.000 chewing cycles, comparable to one year of use. The presence of vertical load wear was identified and characterized. Retention never fell below the values indicated by the manufacturer. Furthermore, significant differences were identified between the two retention systems. Loss of occlusal load retention is a component that must be evaluated by the clinician during the design of implant-prosthetic rehabilitation, particularly in those cases where elevated occlusal forces or parafunctions are present.

Is the implant-retained overdenture a solution to improve the patient quality of life?

Design The research was a retrospective cohort study evaluating a study which performed routine control sessions to assess bone loss around the dental implant over five years and 12 and 24 months, after their prosthetic restorations.Aim The study aimed to evaluate patients' dental implant marginal bone loss after oral rehabilitation with bar and locator retainers and their possible complications.Methods A study of 114 patients who had received 283 dental implants from 2013-2018 was conducted. Two follow-up recall sessions were conducted, one at 12 months and one at 24 months, after dentures were placed. Intraoral and extraoral examinations were also conducted in addition to clinical assessments. The patients' prostheses were assessed for occlusion, tissue health and soft-tissue continuity, complaints, implant success rates and marginal bone loss, in addition to prosthetic complications, at follow-up sessions.Results In this study, 94 patients were fitted with implant-supported removable prostheses on locator attachments on both arches and 20 were fitted with removable prostheses using bar attachments. After evaluating the location of the implant, the number of days after implantation and the type of retainer in all patients, both groups showed a significant amount of marginal bone loss in the 12th and 24th months. The presence of complications was significantly associated with both prosthesis types at month 24 (p >0.05). When the relation between the position of the denture and the presence of complications at month 12 was evaluated, 36% of the complications were observed in the maxilla and 21.3% in the mandible. There was no significant difference associated between denture location and complication presence at month 24 (p >0.05).Conclusions Even though complications do not affect marginal bone loss, a patient's failure to maintain adequate oral hygiene results in marginal bone loss. Therefore, it appears that regular post-treatment prosthesis inspections are essential. If the requirements resulting from these inspections are satisfied, future complications may be prevented.

Brushing effect on the retentive force of retentive inserts in three denture attachments: An in vitro study

Statement of problemDaily denture brushing results in wear on implant-retained overdenture attachments. However, studies on the remaining denture attachment retention after brushing are lacking. PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the retentive force of the retentive inserts in 3 denture attachments after brushing with different media. Material and methodsThree retentive insert types in 3 denture attachments (LOCATOR, LOCATOR R-Tx, and Novaloc) were tested. Three abutments and 20 metal housings of each denture attachment were separately embedded into individual acrylic resin blocks, and 20 retentive inserts of each retentive type in each denture attachment were placed in the metal housing. The blocks embedded with a metal housing of each denture attachment were divided into 2 brushing media groups (n=10), mounted on a brushing machine, and brushed with deionized water (DI) or toothpaste slurry (TP). After 0, 10 000, and 20 000 brushing cycles, the block specimens were mounted on a universal testing machine, and the retentive force was evaluated by pulling the blocks apart until complete separation. The maximum retentive force was measured 5 times and averaged. The evaluated retentive insert was removed and replaced with a new retentive insert. The specimen blocks were subjected to another brushing test with the same protocol. Representative specimens of each group were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The retentive force of each retentive insert type in each denture attachment was analyzed by 2-way repeated measures ANOVA, followed by the Bonferroni test (α=.05). ResultsThe retentive force of each LOCATOR and LOCATOR R-Tx retentive insert demonstrated significant differences in the interaction between brushing media and brushing cycles (P<.05). Between baseline and 20 000 brushing cycles with DI, the retentive force of the LOCATOR and LOCATOR R-Tx retentive inserts decreased significantly (P<.05). Between baseline and 20 000 brushing cycles with TP, the retentive force of the LOCATOR retentive inserts increased significantly (P<.05), while the retentive force of the LOCATOR R-Tx retentive inserts was statistically similar (P>.05). The retentive force of the Novaloc retentive inserts demonstrated significant differences only for brushing cycles (P<.05). The Novaloc retentive inserts decreased in average retentive force over time. ConclusionsAfter brushing with deionized water, the retentive forces of the LOCATOR, LOCATOR R-Tx, and Novaloc retentive inserts decreased, while, after brushing with toothpaste, the retentive force of the retentive inserts increased in the LOCATOR group, was unchanged in the LOCATOR R-Tx group, and decreased in the Novaloc group.

The Effect of Locator Attachment and Ball-O-Ring Attachment on Bone Height Change in Implant Retained Overdenture

Objectives. This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effect of locator attachment and Ball-O-ring attachment on the peri-implant crestal bone level changes in edentulous patients rehabilitated with implant retained lower over denture. Methods. Twenty edentulous patients (male) were participating in this study, they were rehabilitated by mucosa supported maxillary complete denture and implant retained mandibular over denture by two implants installed in the canine region, patients were divided into two equal groups according to the type of attachment used, the locator attachment was used for group I and Ball-O-ring attachment was used for group II. Peri-implant crestal bone level changes were assessed using intra-oral radiographs taken with the standardized long cone paralleling technique using custom made acrylic template and the Rinn-xcp system. Periapical radiographs were taken every six months to complete a period of 18 months follow up period. The marginal bone loss at different intervals was obtained by calculating the difference in bone height at that interval from the base line measurement and statistically analyzed (t-test P &lt; 0.05). Results. The result of this study showed that the time has significant effect on the mean values of the peri-implant bone height on both groups. Moreover, group I had significantly less bone resorption from insertion to twelve months in compare to group II. Conclusion. The insignificant difference observed between comparing the peri-implant bone loss between the two groups indicates that the two treatment modalities are effective for the rehabilitation of lower denture. Locator attachments have the ability to control the amount bone loss. It could be advantageous in cases where the retention of implants retained overdentures is compromised.

Maintenance requirements and marginal bone loss associated with implant-retained overdentures: a retrospective cohort study.

To evaluate the maintenance requirements and the presence of prosthetic complications associated with marginal bone loss in the implant-retained bar and locator prostheses. The study was executed between the years 2013 and 2018 on 114 patients who had undergone 283 dental implants. Patients were examined at follow-up recall sessions at 12 and 24months after the placement of the dentures. The clinical examination also included intraoral and extraoral examinations of the patients; compatibility of the prostheses placed to about occlusion; an adaptation of the prosthesis to the tissues, health, and continuity of the soft tissues; complaints of the patients; implant success rates; and marginal bone loss, and prosthetic complications were evaluated at follow-up sessions, and statistical analysis was performed. Locator attachment was placed in 94 patients with separated mandibles and maxillae, and a removable prosthesis with a bar attachment was placed in 20 patients. When evaluating the level of marginal bone loss regardless of the presence of complications, the area where the implant was set, the number of days after loading, and the type of retainer, it was found to be significant at the end of the 12th the 24th months. The results showed a significant relationship between the prosthesis type and the presence of complications at month 24 (p < 0.05). There was no significant relationship between the position of the denture and the presence of complications at month 12 (p > 0.05). There was no significant relationship between the location of the denture and the presence of complications at month 24 (p > 0.05). Complications do not affect marginal bone loss, but the resulting marginal bone loss is the result of the patient not paying enough attention to oral hygiene. Routine inspections of the prosthesis after the completion of treatment seem to be important. If the requirements resulting from these checks are met, complications that may occur in the future will be prevented. The maintenance requirements and the presence of prosthetic complications associated with marginal bone loss in the implant-retained bar and locator prostheses were evaluated. Complications occurred more frequently with the bar-supported removable implant prostheses.

A comparative evaluation of neurophysiological activity, active tactile sensibility and stereognostic ability of complete denture prosthesis, and implant-supported prosthesis wearer-A pilot study.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of implant-supported prosthesis in completely edentulous participants in terms of osseoperception ability, neural activity, and stereognostic ability in comparison to removable prosthetic options. A total sample of 18 patients, irrespective of gender and age were allocated into three groups according to the three-treatment protocol (upper and lower complete denture, upper complete denture opposing lower implant-retained overdenture, implant-supported fixed prosthesis in both arches). Four weeks after completion of the treatment procedure active tactile sensibility (ATS) was checked by using varying thicknesses (12, 40, 80, 100, 200 μ) of articulating foils and papers. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed to record neurophysiological activity in cerebral cortex in all the participants. Various forms of test pieces (heat cure acrylic resin) were used to evaluate stereognostic ability. Data regarding the neurophysiological activity were analyzed by using Krushkal-Wallis test and p ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Data from stereognostic ability test procedure and ATS were compared by using chi-squared test and p ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Statistically significant difference was found in between the articulating foils in terms of true negative responses as the foil thickness increased in participants wearing complete denture in both the arches (p=0.004) and implant-supported fixed prosthesis in both the arches (p=0.010). Participants in implant-supported fixed prosthesis group showed significantly more activation in primary motor cortex (right side), somatosensory cortex (left side), angular gyrus (both sides), temporal lobe (left) compared to other groups. No significant difference found in thalamus and premotor cortex region in between the participants of different groups. No statistically significant difference found in between the groups in terms of true responses identifying correct shapes. Mean number of correct responses in stereognostic ability test were 4.16 (83.33%), 3.5 (70%), 3.83 (76.66%) for participants of complete denture group, upper complete denture opposing lower implant retained overdenture group, and implant-supported fixed prosthesis group, respectively. Primary motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, and other regions of brain were diffusely activated in participants wearing implant-supported fixed prosthesis in both the arches. Less number of false responses were recorded in participants of implant-supported fixed prosthesis group and upper complete denture opposing lower implant-retained overdenture group in ATS test compared to participants wearing complete denture in both the arches.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Retentive Effectiveness of Axial Attachments Used in Implant-Retained Overdentures After 1 Year of Function.

The aim of this study was to measure and compare the retention degrees of different attachment systems before and after 1 year of mastication and removal/insertion simulations. A 4 × 10-mm implant embedded in self-curing acrylic resin was placed inside a rectangular metal frame installed in a plastic container with artificial saliva at 37°C. Three different attachment systems were connected to the implants: Dalbo Classic, Locator (with blue, pink, and clear inserts), and Klockner Rotula. A loading test at 100 N and 1.25 Hz frequency was repeated 10 times for each attachment (changing the matrix component or plastic insert) until a total of 300,000 cycles and 1,095 removal/ insertion sequences. The retention force was assessed at baseline until the end of the test (1 year) after 3-month intervals of simulation. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey test (P < .05) were performed for statistical analyses. Klockner Rotula showed the highest retention values at the beginning (69.6 ± 9.2 N; 7.1 ± 0.9 kg) and the end of the test (51.4 ± 5.4 N; 5.2 ± 0.6 kg), while Dalbo Classic showed the lowest values both at the beginning (13.1 ± 1.7 N; 1.3 ± 0.2 kg) and the end of the test (6.7 ± 1.6 N; 0.7 ± 0.2 kg). Locator with clear insert exhibited the lowest retention loss ratio (20.4%), while Locator with blue insert showed the highest (50.8%). At the end of the test, all attachment systems showed a significant decrease in retention force in comparison with the initial retention (P < .001). Locator attachments with clear and pink inserts and the Klockner Rotula attachment system showed retention forces > 20 N (2 kg) after 1 year of mastication and prosthesis insertion/removal simulation. All attachment systems showed a progressive loss of retention, which was higher for Locator attachments with blue and pink inserts and Dalbo Classic. The Klockner Rotula attachment system showed the highest retention values both at the beginning and the end of the test.

Retention and stress distribution induced in mandibular implant-retained complete overdenture with different interimplant distance (An In-Vitro study).

Retention and stress distribution induced in mandibular implant-retained complete overdenture with different interimplant distance (An In-Vitro study).

Implant-retained overdenture delivery in 2 visits with a digital workflow

The conventional method of fabricating implant-retained overdentures involves multiple steps and patient visits. However, the duplication of existing complete dentures could decrease the number of visits and increase patient satisfaction. An existing maxillary implant-retained overdenture was replaced for a 78-year-old man; the existing implant-retained overdenture and his face were scanned at the first visit. The scanned intaglio image was inverted to obtain a virtual maxillary cast and used to fabricate the metal framework of the replacement implant-retained overdenture. Prefabricated artificial teeth were arranged on a 3-dimensional trial denture created from the scan data of the existing implant-retained overdenture. The replacement implant-retained overdenture was fabricated on the metal framework by using the injection molding technique. By using these digital techniques, a stable and esthetic implant-retained overdenture was delivered in 2 visits.

Expedited Digital‐Analog Hybrid Method to Fabricate a 3D‐Printed Implant Overdenture

The present case report describes a technique to convert an interim mandibular complete dental prosthesis into a digitally designed and additively manufactured implant overdenture prosthesis. A patient had two dental implants placed, an interim complete denture, and a soft reline procedure completed. After implant osseointegration, existing healing abutments were removed, a functionally generated reline impression with polyvinyl siloxane impression material was made. Using an intraoral scanner, a 360-degree optical scan was obtained of the relined interim prosthesis. A new prosthesis was digitally designed using the optical scan, additively manufactured, and housings picked-up intraorally to create an implant-retained overdenture.

Prosthetic failures in dental implant therapy.

Both fixed and removable implant‐supported prostheses are well‐established methods for replacing missing teeth in partially or fully edentulous patients. Numerous systematic reviews have been performed in recent years to evaluate the survival and complication rates of implant‐retained fixed dental prostheses and implant‐retained overdentures, displaying high 5‐year survival rates ranging from 97.1% for fixed dental prostheses to 95%‐100% for implant‐retained overdentures. However, the survival rates only represent the prostheses remaining in use for a defined follow‐up time, and do not account for the potential prosthetic complications that may have arisen and influence the general success of the implant treatment. The most common technical complications of fixed implant‐retained single crowns are crown fracture, fractures of ceramic implant abutments, and esthetic problems. The predominant technical complication at multiple‐unit, implant‐retained fixed dental prostheses is fracture/chipping of the veneering ceramic. Reported technical complications for implant‐retained overdentures are overdenture fracture or chipping of the veneer materials, whereas mechanical complications include implant fracture, attachment failure, and attachment housing or insert complications. To reduce the risk of such failures, a comprehensive pretreatment diagnostic work‐up is essential, including defining the prosthetic goal with the aid of a wax‐up or set‐up and the associated ideal, prosthetically oriented three‐dimensional implant position. Furthermore, selection of the ideal type of prosthesis, including the respective implant components and materials, is important for clinical long‐term treatment success.

Patients' Satisfaction and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of Edentulous Patients Using Conventional Complete Dentures and Implant-Retained Overdentures in Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this study was to compare patients’ satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) when using implant overdentures vs. conventional dentures. The QoL of Saudi patients who were provided mandibular implant-supported overdentures was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Overall satisfaction; ability to speak, eat, and chew food; comfort; esthetics; stability; and satisfaction of general oral health were measured. A total of 48.3% vs. 6.9% were, overall, very satisfied with their implant overdentures and conventional dentures, respectively. A total of 37.9% of the patients were very satisfied regarding speaking with their implant overdentures vs. 17.2% with conventional dentures. Furthermore, 41.4% were very comfortable with their implant overdentures vs. 5.2% were very comfortable using conventional dentures. However, only 15.5% were very satisfied with the esthetics of the conventional dentures compared to 43.1% being satisfied with implant overdentures. Only 1.7% were very satisfied with the stability of conventional dentures vs. 44.8% being satisfied using implant overdentures. About 8.6% of the candidates were very satisfied regarding chewing food with conventional dentures vs. 36.2% being very satisfied using implant overdentures. Approximately 10.3% were very satisfied with their general oral health using conventional dentures compared to 29.3% being very satisfied using implant overdentures. Mandibular implant overdentures had a strong impact on patients’ quality of life over conventional complete dentures and should be considered the minimum standard of care provided to completely edentulous patients.

An overview of applications of PEEK polymer in prosthodontics.

he rapid evolution of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) led to the introduction of newer materials that could be precisely milled for the fabrication of dental prostheses. PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKetone) has been explored for a number of applications for clinical dentistry, including removable dental prostheses, fixed dental prostheses, implant-supported prostheses, resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses and implant-retained overdentures. The major beneficial property of PEEK is its lower Young's modulus, and as elastic as bone, providing a cushioning effect and reduction of stress transferred to abutment teeth. It is a material with high biocompatibility, good mechanical properties, high-temperature resistance, chemical stability, polishability, good wear resistance, and high bond strength with luting cements. Further, PEEK is also recommended for a wide range of CAD-CAM fabricated fixed and removable prostheses, fabrication of occlusal splints, intra-radicular posts, implant abutments and provisional restorations. PEEK material shows a property of radiolucency, which is advantageous for the evaluation of both osseointegrationand tissue surrounding the implant on computed tomography. Considering these properties, PEEK is increasingly being used in implantology.