A Seven-year Follow-up Study of Patient Satisfaction With Three-Implant-Retained Mandibular Overdentures

Purpose: This study aimed to compare patients' satisfaction with mandibular overdentures retained by three-splinted implants and conventional complete dentures during a seven-year follow-up period. Materials and Methods: Thirty edentulous male patients (mean age: 60 years) were carefully selected and divided into two equal groups. All patients received a new set of complete dentures. (Group I) patients received three implants in the anterior mandible and were connected after three months with bars, clips and loaded. (Group II) patients' received conventional complete dentures. Patients' satisfaction was recorded for both groups at three weeks (baseline) and after 1, 3, 5 and 7 years. Patients were then asked to grade their overdentures/dentures on a visual analog scale and written questionnaire to evaluate their overall satisfaction. Results: satisfaction scores of Group I patients was found to be statistically significantly higher than that of Group II patients (p < .05) at 3, 5 and 7 years follow-up, meanwhile no statistically significant difference was found at baseline or after 12 months. Conclusions: The long-term results suggest that three implants-retained mandibular overdenture with a clip-bar attachment appears to be a successful rehabilitation strategy which is superior to conventional dentures for patients with advanced ridge resorption.