Evaluation of the retention characteristics of various stud attachment systems for implant retained overdenture

The purpose of the study was to analyze and compare retention characteristics of different stud attachments including a standard and two low profile attachments on two implant embedded test models.

Three different stud attachment systems (Ball attachment and two different low profile stud attachments - Equator and Locator) were used in this study. Two dental implants were placed vertically into a custom-made acrylic resin block within a 22 mm distance. Strong and soft nylon inserts of each attachment system were tested using cyclic dislodgement test for 24 months simulation. Maximum forces during the test were recorded and 10 consecutive data at baseline, 1st to 24th months were analyzed. Repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's test (p ≤0.05) were used for statistical analysis.

Retentive forces of the tested attachments varied from 30.7 to 93.75 N at the baseline. The highest initial mean retention (93.75 N) was observed in Group LC (locator attachment with clear nylon inserts) and the lowest initial mean retention (30.7 N) was detected in both Group BO (ball attachment with orange nylon inserts) and Group EY (equator with yellow nylon inserts). After the 24 months simulation, locator groups illustrated more light retention than other tested attachment systems.

All tested attachment systems showed a significant decrease in retention value at the end of the simulated period. The locator attachment had significantly higher reduction in retention values compared to other low profile stud attachment equator and ball attachment.