Patient responses to dental implant-retained mandibular overdenture therapy: a 6-year clinical study.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to record subjective patient experiences with respect to the surgical placement of dental implants and the functioning of mandibular implant-retained overdentures versus conventional dentures. METHODS Completely edentulous patients (n = 56) unable to wear a conventional mandibular complete denture were each treated with 4 one-stage titanium plasma sprayed or Sandblasted Large-grit Acid-etched (SLA) screw implants and overdentures retained by a cast bar with extracoronal attachments. Fifty-six patients were subsequently clinically evaluated over a period of up to 6 years. Fifty-three patients responded to questions on their experiences prior to and after treatment with implant retained overdentures. RESULTS No implants or restorations failed during the observation period. Most of the patients (96%) felt satisfied with their new overdentures, and reported their new dentures fit comfortably. CONCLUSIONS The use of implants to retain and support the denture improved comfort, giving the patients more self-confidence and improved social interaction, in addition to oral rehabilitation. This study demonstrates rehabilitation of the mandibluar arch with an implant-retained overdenture is a predictable treat-