CLINICAL AND RADIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF IMPLANT OVERDENTURES RETAINED BY DIFFERENT ATTACHMENT SYSTEMS

Abstract

Objectives: To compare two different attachments for implant overdentures; ball attachment with nylon matrix and OLS attachment with PEEK matrix regarding bone height changes and implant stability. Materials and Methods: Ten completely edentulous patients were selected and two implants were inserted in the interforaminal region for each patient. After 3 months of installation, the patients were divided into two equal groups; group I receiving overdentures retained with ball attachments and group II receiving overdentures retained with OLS attachments. Implant stability was measured using Periotest and digital radiography was used for bone height assessment at time of prosthesis insertion and at 6, 12 and 24 months later. Results: No significant difference was found regarding Periotest values and bone loss at all follow-up appointments for both groups. There was also no difference between the two groups regarding Periotest values and bone loss at all follow-up appointments. Conclusions: Comparable performance of the two attachments was observed regarding both Periotest values and bone loss at 6, 12 and 24 months of function.