Removable partial overdentures with mechanical (precision) attachments

Mechanical attachments for overdentures have been available in various forms for over a century. The explosive interest in osseointegration and the effort on the part of the profession to avoid the complete denture as a treatment modality has stirred the interest in positive retentive elements for overdentures represented by the mechanical stud and bar attachments. The cited references provide a resource as a trouble-free guide in the selection and use of the various stud and bar attachment systems. The clinical examples show a pattern of application not generally discussed by the manufacturers, illustrating the simplicity of use with the options for all attachments including magnets. The discussion on magnets comes from 9 years of clinical experience. Rare earth magnets provide excellent adjunct retention, and their assembly follows the same protocol and complexity as stud attachment systems. All magnets, at the present state of the art, have a corrosion potential with the exception of the Laser Sealed Units (Golden Dental, Golden, CO). Finally, the mechanics of the attachment overdenture serves as an excellent training field for the osseointegrated prosthesis, be it the classic Brånemark (Nobelpharma USA, Chicago, IL) restorative or the implant overdenture concept.