A seven-year follow-up study of patient satisfaction with three-implant-retained mandibular overdentures

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare patients’ satisfaction with mandibular overdentures retained by three-splinted implants versus conventional complete denture wearers during a 7-year follow-up study period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty edentulous male patients (mean age: 60 years) were carefully selected and divided into two equal groups. All patients received a new set of complete dentures. Group I patients received three implants in the anterior mandible and were connected after 3 months with bars, clips, and loaded. Group II patients received conventional complete dentures. Patients’ satisfaction was recorded for both groups at 3 weeks (baseline) and after 1, 3, 5, and 7 years. Patients were then asked to grade their overdentures/dentures on a visual analog scale and written questionnaire to evaluate their overall satisfaction. RESULTS: Satisfaction scores of Group I patients were found to be statistically significantly higher than that of Group II patients (p < 0.05) at 3, 5, and 7 years follow-up, meanwhile, no statistically significant difference was found at baseline or after 12 months. CONCLUSION: The long-term results suggest that three-implant-retained mandibular overdenture with a clip-bar attachment appears to be a successful rehabilitation strategy which is superior to conventional dentures for patients with advanced ridge resorption.