A randomised prospective clinical trial on the effectiveness of three treatment modalities for patients with lower denture problems. A 10 year follow-up study on patient satisfaction.

Abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts

Abstract

Implant-retained overdentures (IRO) gave patients greater satisfaction than other treatments.

Main

Raghoebar GM, Meijer HJA et al. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2003; 32: 498–503

In this study, 90 edentulous patients with mandibular symphysis height of 15-25 mm and persistent lower denture problems were randomised to 3 treatments: IRO; preprosthetic surgery to enlarge the denture-bearing area prior to construction of a new denture (PPS); and a new conventional complete denture (CD: control group). All patients received a new maxillary denture. After 1 yr, CD and PPS patients had the option of an IRO, and 14 PPS and 6 CD patients did this in the 10 yr period.

Implant survival rate at 10 yrs was 93%. At 1 yr, IRO was the best technique in respect of lower denture complaints, chewing problems and satisfaction, and PPS had some advantages over CD. At 5 yrs, IRO patients had fewer complaints than CD, but no other differences were present. At 10 yrs, there was no difference between techniques. The authors attribute changes in satisfaction to the transfer of some patients to an IRO.