Mandibular two-implant-retained overdenture: prosthetic design and fabrication protocol

Among different treatment options, an implant-retained overdenture is a simple, cost-effective solution in the rehabilitation of the edentulous mandible. Despite widespread acceptance of this treatment, some controversies still exist with regard to the design of the overdenture, selection of the appropriate attachment system, and the most optimal techniques for the overdenture fabrication. In this article, the authors describe a mandibular overdenture retained by 2 freestanding implants placed in the anterior region of the mandible. The overdenture design includes a metal-reinforcing framework and uses prefabricated stock abutments and hinge-type resilient attachments for its retention. The proposed fabrication technique requires a minimal number of clinical appointments, and resilient attachments are incorporated into the overdenture in the laboratory.