A Randomized Controlled Trial of Implant-retained Mandibular Overdentures

• Published in: Journal of dental research Vol. 85; no. 6; pp. 547 - 551
• Main Authors: Allen, P.F., Thomason, J.M., Jepson, N.J.A., Nohl, F., Smith, D.G., Ellis, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SAGE Publications 01.06.2006; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Attitude to Health; Dental Implants; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; Dentistry; Denture Retention; Denture, Complete, Lower; Denture, Overlay; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Jaw, Edentulous - rehabilitation; Male; Mandible; Middle Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome; Treatment Refusal; overdentures; quality of life; implants; randomized controlled trial
• ISSN: 0022-0345; 1544-0591
• DOI: 10.1177/154405910608500613

Evidence from randomized clinical trials of implant-retained overdentures is very limited at the present time. The aim of this study was to compare implant-retained mandibular overdentures and conventional complete dentures in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Our a priori hypothesis was that implant-retained mandibular overdentures would be significantly better than conventional complete dentures. Edentulous patients (n = 118) were randomly allocated to either an Implant Group (n = 62) or a Denture Group (n = 56). Patients completed the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) and a denture satisfaction scale pre-treatment and three months post-treatment. Upon completion of treatment, both groups reported improvement (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon Ranks Sum test) in oral-health-related quality of life and denture satisfaction. There were no significant post-treatment differences between the groups, but a treatment effect may be masked by application of “intention to treat” analysis. The OHIP change scores were significantly greater for patients receiving implants than for those who refused them.