One-year prosthetic outcomes with implant overdentures: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE This randomized clinical trial examined implant overdenture (IOD) fabrication and maintenance time and costs, adjustment and repair incidence, and patient satisfaction after 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-four patients received 2 mandibular implants and an IOD with either a bar with 2 clips or 2 ball attachments for denture retention. RESULTS Fabrication time, number of appointments, and chair time for adjustments were similar for the 2 denture designs. The most common adjustments for both types were to the IOD contours. Ball-attachment dentures required about 8 times longer for repairs than bar-clip prostheses. Approximately 84% of patients with ball-attachment dentures needed at least 1 repair, versus 20% of those with a bar-clip mechanism. The most common repairs were replacement of the cap spring or cap for the ball-attachment IOD and replacement of a lost or loose clip for bar-clip dentures. DISCUSSION Patients were equally and highly satisfied with the improvements in function, comfort, and appearance with both types of IOD compared to their original conventional dentures. CONCLUSIONS Given equivalent levels of patient satisfaction with either method of retention and a much higher repair rate for the ball attachment, it is suggested that a bar-clip design be used rather than the particular ball attachment utilized in this study.