Implant-retained mandibular overdentures compared with complete dentures; a 5-years' follow-up study of clinical aspects and patient satisfaction

The aim of this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate and compare clinical aspects and satisfaction during the first year following treatment and consecutively the change in treatment during the next 4 years of follow-up. Patients were allocated to one of the following treatment modalities: an implant-retained overdenture (IRO-group, 2 endosseous implants, n = 61) or a complete denture (CD-group, n = 60). One year after placement of the denture, unsatisfied patients of the CD-group got the opportunity for a retreatment including an implant-retained overdenture. In the IRO-group 4 implants were lost during the first year and again 4 implants were lost during the next 4 years (survival rate: 93%). All patients could be re-operated successfully. In the CD-group 14 patients (23%) chose an implant-retained overdenture after 1 year. Patients of the IRO-group were significantly more satisfied than patients of the CD-group after 1 year (satisfaction score 8.3 versus 6.6, scale 1-10) and after 5 years (7.4 versus 6.4). From this study it can be concluded that endosseous implants have a high survival rate after 5-years' follow-up. Satisfaction score of the IRO-group is diminishing in time, probably because patients get used to an improved situation. After 5 years, the mean satisfaction score of the CD-group (including patients who got implants) was still lower than of the IRO-group, in spite of the opportunity to a retreatment and have implant-retained overdentures.