ELSAYED A ABDEL-KHALEK, NESREEN EL MEKAWY
International Dental Research - 2018;8(3):96-104
Aim: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of attachment placement on initial stability and bone height changes for immediately loaded single-implants retaining mandibular overdentures. Methodology: Twenty edentulous patients were recruited for this study; 9 females (45.0%) and, 11 males (55.0%) (age ranged from 59.0 to 70.0 year). Single endosseous implant was inserted in the mandibular midline region. Immediately after surgery; Locator abutment was secured on the implant, and the male housing was connected intraorally using direct pick-up procedure. Marginal bone height measurements and implant stability values were assessed at the time of implant placement (baseline), 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 weeks then every 6-month interval up to 18 months post-implant placement. Results: The implant stability values decreased markedly from the baseline, during 4 weeks and, then increased gradually until reaching the initial values after 12 weeks followed by continuous increase to study’s end (p<0.05). The peri-implant marginal bone level revealed an acceptable range of bone loss with a statistically significant differences between different follow-up times, and it continued to the end of the study (p<0.05). Conclusions: Retaining an overdenture by immediately loaded single implant could be a successful treatment option for mandibular edentulous arches, especially in people with limited financial resources. The use of Locator attachment seemed to have a favorable effect on implant stability and marginal bone around immediately loaded single implant mandibular overdenture after 18-months of function.
