Mandibular implant-supported overdentures: attachment systems, and number and locations of implants – Part I

Abstract

The use of dental implants in replacing missing teeth is an integral part of restorative dental treatment. Use of conventional complete dentures is associated with several problems such as lack of denture stability, support and retention. However, when mandibular complete dentures were used with two or more implants, an improvement in the patients’ psychological and social well-being could be seen. There is general consensus that removable implant-supported overdentures (RISOs) with two implants should be considered as the first-choice standard of care for an edentulous mandible. This treatment option necessitates the use of attachment systems that connect the complete denture to the implant. Nevertheless, each attachment system has its inherent advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered when choosing a system. The first part of this article provides an overview on options available to restore the mandibular edentulous arch with dental implants. Different types of attachment systems, their features and drawbacks are also reviewed.

Part II of this article will appear in the June/July edition of the Journal of the Irish Dental Association.

Journal of the Irish Dental Association 2015; 61 (2): 93-97

Abdulhadi Warreth
BDentSc MDentSc MFDRCSI PhD
Trinity College Dublin

Caroline Byrne
BA PhD
Trinity College Dublin

Aslam Fadel Alkadhimi
BA BDentSc
Trinity College Dublin

Edel Woods
BCL LLM
Trinity College Dublin

Ahmed Sultan
BA BDentSc
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA and Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

Corresponding author: Dr Abdulhadi Warreth, Division of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology,
Dublin Dental University Hospital, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2
E: warrethab@dental.tcd.ie