A COMPARATIVE PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF SPLINTED AND UNSPLINTED BRANEMARK IMPLANTS IN MANDIBULAR OVERDENTURE THERAPY - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Thirty-six edentulous patients, each provided with two Branemark implants in the mandible to anchor an overdenture, were selected for this study and randomly divided into three groups of 12 patients each. In each group a different attachment system was used: (1) magnets, (2) ball attachments, and (3) straight bars with clips (control). The mean loading time was 12.4 months (range 3 to 24 months). This study investigated (1) the clinical behavior of loaded implants by means of overdentures related to their connection system (splinted versus unsplinted) and (2) the clinical performance of prosthetic treatment. Preliminary results indicate no differences; no failures occurred and the level of marginal bone height, as well as the probing attachment level, changed similarly in the three groups. Although splinted bar-retained overdentures scored better objectively, subjective satisfaction ratings did not differ. It was concluded that for the short follow-up period, the state of connection did not influence the clinical success of implants. However, no definite conclusions may be drawn until long-term data become available.