Early loading of fixture original implants with mandibular overdentures : a preliminary report on a prospective study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to report the short-term clinical- and patient-based results of an early loading protocol using two Fixture Original implants with a mandibular overdenture. Fifteen consecutively treated patients were enrolled in this study. Each patient received 2 implants; one patient received an additional implant during the observation period, yielding a total of 31 implants used in this study. All patients were treated with overdentures supported by a resilient ovoid bar mechanism. Clinically based outcomes were documented throughout the study, while patient-based outcomes were recorded at baseline and at the 1-year follow-up using the Denture Satisfaction and the Oral Health Impact Profile. Patients were followed for an average of 28.87 ± 5.04 months. The overall success rate was 100% for the implants and 93% for the original prosthetic treatment plan, since an overdenture was converted to a fixed prosthesis for one patient throughout follow-up. The mean bone loss measured during the first year of loading was 0.11 mm (standard deviation: 0.14 mm). Prosthetic maintenance events were mainly related to the acrylic superstructure. Patient-based treatment outcomes showed a statistically significant improvement with the prosthetic treatment and in their quality of life (Wilcoxon signed rank rest, P < .05). This short-term longitudinal study suggests that Fixture Original implants can be loaded early using mandibular overdentures. Additionally, modified prosthetic and surgical protocols led to minimal postinsertion prosthodontic maintenance. The results underscore the effectiveness of the overdenture technique in rectifying patients' complaints with conventional mandibular prostheses.