Using Different Low-Profile Abutments for Assisting Mandibular Implant Overdenture: A Split-Mouth Study

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Periodontology

Background:

• Limited restorative space in the mandible presents challenges for implant overdenture (MIOD) fabrication.
• The use of dissimilar low-profile abutments, such as OT Equator® and Locator®, for MIOD in such cases is debated due to potential morphological differences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the marginal bone level (MBL) change and peri-implant tissue health (PITH) when using a combination of OT Equator® and Locator® abutments for MIOD.
• To compare the outcomes between these two types of suprastructures in assisting MIOD.

Main Methods:

• Seventeen edentulous patients received MIOD supported by a pair of OT Equator® and Locator® abutments.
• Marginal bone level (MBL) was assessed at implant loading (T1), 6 months (T2), and 12 months (T3).
• Peri-implant tissue health (PITH) was evaluated at T2 and T3 using modified plaque index (MPI), modified bleeding index (MBI), and gingival index (GI).

Main Results:

• Both Locator and Equator abutments showed significant MBL changes at T2 and T3 (P=0.01).
• Significant differences were observed between Locator and Equator in MPI at T3 (P=0.01).
• Both abutment types showed significant changes in MPI, MBI, and GI over time, with no significant difference between them for MBI and GI at T2 and T3.

Conclusions:

• The use of a combination of OT Equator® and Locator® low-profile abutments to support mandibular implant overdentures (MIOD) is clinically viable.
• The observed marginal bone level changes and peri-implant tissue health indicate successful clinical outcomes with this mixed abutment approach.