[General health of patients receiving an implant-retained overdenture. A cross-sectional study]

Although ample research has been done on implant-retained overdentures, little is known about the age, health aspects and socio-economic status of patients receiving an implant-retained overdenture for the first time. Therefore, a big data study was set up, in cooperation with Vektis (a Dutch national database for all insured and claimed healthcare), with the aim of investigating the aspects mentioned earlier in patients who received implant-retained overdentures between 2009 and 2016. The study showed that these overdentures were predominantly made for the lower jaw, using a bar attachment system. It also showed they were mainly used for relatively young (55- to 75-year-olds) and healthy patients. It was concluded that relatively few implants are placed to support implant-retained overdentures in patients over 85 years of age and in those with diabetes mellitus, although neither are contraindicated.