Ahmed El-Baz *, Ahmed Fayyad ** And Amal Kaddah***,
ABSTRACT
Background: Implant-supported Overdenture Is One Of The Most Predictable Treatment Options Used In Complete Edentulism.
To Further Enhance The Conservatism A Single Implant To Retain A Mandibular Overdenture Has Been Purposed, But Which Attachment Yields The Best Outcome In Terms Of Patient Satisfaction And Maintaining The Integrity Of The Peri-implant Tissues?
Purpose: The Aim Of This Randomized Clinical Trial Was To Compare The Locator Versus The Ball And Socket Attachment Used With Complete Mandibular Overdenture Retained With A Single Midline Implant Regarding; Quality Of Life, Plaque Accumulation And Peri-implant Probing Depth.
Materials and Methods: Twenty Two Patients Were Selected To Participate In This Study. The Eligible Patients Were Then Randomly Assigned To Two Groups Equally. Group I Patients Received Mandibular Overdenture Retained With Single Midline Implant Using Locator Attachment While Group II Patients Received Mandibular Overdenture Retained With Single Midline Implant Using Ball Attachment. Oral Health Related Quality Of Life (OHRQoL) Was Measured Using The Short Form Oral Heal Impact Profile (OHIP) Questionnaire Over The Period Of 9 Months At Intervals Of 0, 3, 6 And 9 Months From Implant Insertion. Plaque Accumulation And Peri-implant Probing Depth Were Also Evaluated Over The Period Of 6 Months Of Implant Loading (at 3,6 And 9 Months From Implant Insertion).
Results: Both Groups Showed Statistically Significant Results In Terms Of Positively Enhancing The Quality Of Life As Compared To Conventional Complete Denture, However The Locator Attachment Was More Superior With Statistically Significant Difference When Compared To The Ball Attachment.
Conclusion: Both Locator Or Ball Attachments Can Be Used As An Attachment To A Midline Single Implant To Retain An Overdenture Successfully With Both Systems Improving The Function, Pain, Psycho-social And Physical Ability Of The Patients. However, The Locator Is The Superior Attachment Scoring Better Results Over The Follow Up Period Of 6 Months.
