Effect of Interimplant Distance and Cyclic Loading on the Retention of Overdenture Attachments

The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of interimplant distance and cyclic loading on the retention of two locator attachment systems.

A total of 72 acrylic resin blocks were fabricated and divided into six groups of six pairs each. Locators of DIO and 3i implant systems were positioned on analogs in three different interimplant distances (19, 23, and 29 mm). The blocks were attached to a universal testing machine, and 1,440 dislodging cycles by the force of 136 N were applied. After 0, 120, 360, 720, and 1,440 cycles, the retention was recorded. Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences in retention between the various combinations of the locator, interimplant distance, and cyclic loadings.

Interimplant distance was significantly associated with retention, independent of the locator system used, and dislodge-ment force cycles. Mean retention was significantly higher under the 3i system relative to the DIO system (p < 0.0001). This association varied with both interimplant distance (p > 0.0001) and dislodgement force (p < 0.0001) as well as across the various combinations of distance and cycle (p < 0.0001).

Interimplant distances could affect the initial retention of locator attachments. There was little difference in retention between distances of 23 and 29 mm across all cycles when both locator systems were combined. Distance of 23 mm was associated with superior retention in the DIO system. With regard to the speed of retention decrease, the 23 mm distance was associated with better performance.

Interimplant distance could play a significant role in overdenture retention with locator attachments.