[Dental implants under overlay dentures: an assessment]

In the treatment of edentulous patients endosseous implants play an increasingly important role. This paper discusses treatment and treatment results from a nationwide study among 429 edentulous patients who received implant-retained complete overdentures. In this particular treatment concept the denture derives retention and support from the implants that are placed in the edentulous part of the jaw. In terms of implant survival and patient satisfaction treatment results can be considered satisfactory, especially for the mandible. Of those patients who had an implant supported denture in the mandible, 95% considered the new mandibular denture to function better than the previously constructed denture. The chance on implant survival, three years postoperatively, is approximately 97%. It is concluded that oral rehabilitation in the mandible by means of endosseous implants in combination with a complete overdenture is a reliable and effective treatment alternative.