The effect of two types of attachments on the bone height changes around divergent implants retaining mandibular overdentures

Abstract EN

Purpose: To explore wether the self parallelizing ball or the locator attachment was better used to retain mandibular overdentures overlaying angulated implants.

Material and methods: This study was performed on fourteen completely edentulous patients; each received two intentionally inclined implants in the mandibular canine regions.

Patients were then randomly divided into two equal groups.

In group I patients the mandibular overdentures were retained by the locator attachments, while in group II patients the retention of the overdentures was mainly derived from the self parallelizing ball (spheroflex).

Implants were then radiographed following the long cone paralleling technique at time of denture insertion, 6, 12 and 18 months later.

The bone height on the proximal surfaces of the implants were measured by the aid of the Digora(1) computerized system.

The collected data were presented as mean bone height percentage changes and were then statistically analyzed using the t-test.

Results: A significant difference between the two studied groups was detected along the distal sides of the implants throughout the whole follow up period and along the mesial sides during the first six months only; the lower mean percentage changes found in group I patients (locator).

Conclusion: Locator attachment with green extended range male when used to retain mandibular implant retained overdentures can offer better bone preservation around angulated implants than self parallelizing ball.