[Three treatment modalities for mandibular overdentures on implants. Clinical and radiological aspects]

The results are presented of 3 treatment modalities for overdentures on implants in the mandible: 2 implants with ball attachment, 2 implants interconnected with a bar and 4 implants interconnected with bars. The patients, in total 110, were at random treated and evaluated 3, 9 and 19 months after insertion of the implants. Six implants were lost out of 283 implants during the osseointegration period. There were hardly any differences found between the groups with respect to the clinical and radiologic parameters. De first group showed less bleeding around the implants after 19 months then the other groups. Around the medial implants there was significantly more bone resorption then around the distal implants and the implants in the other groups. No conclusions can be drawn with respect to the best treatment modality since the period of evaluation is too short and the other parameters like patients' experiences are not included.