[Notes concerning an overdenture on 2 implants as the standard for treating an edentulous mandible]

Patients with an edentulous mandible often have difficulty retaining conventional dentures. It was formerly the case that, as a rule, 4 implants were placed in the interforaminal area of the mandible in order to provide retention for the mandibular denture. A large body of research, however, revealed good results with 2 implants with various mesostructures. The 2 implant overdenture in the mandible has since become standard for edentulous patients. Research results indicate that this treatment should be the primary option under certain conditions. The appropriate types of care which are indicated by these conditions should, however, be carefully distinguished. Under certain anatomical conditions, such as a low and narrow alveolar ridge, exposed mandibular nerves, very low density alveolar bone (Class IV bone) and very sensitive mucous membranes, 4 implants are indicated. Patients who are less manually dextrous might be better served with 2 implants and a single mesostructure.