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Purpose: This study examined patient satisfaction with conventional complete dentures and
mandibular implant overdentures opposing conventional maxillary dentures 6 months after
delivery. Materials and Methods: Sixty edentulous subjects (aged 65 to 75 years) were
randomly assigned to either a mandibular conventional denture or an overdenture supported
by two implants with ball-shaped retentive anchors. Patients rated their general satisfaction
and other features of their prostheses, together with their ability to eat certain food items, on
100-mm visual analogue scales before assignment, and after 2 and 6 months. Results: Both
treatment groups reported greater satisfaction with their new prostheses at 6 months. General
satisfaction ratings were higher in the implant group than in the conventional denture group
by approximately 36% (mean difference 22.3 mm). The implant group also rated comfort
(mean difference 22.4 mm), stability (mean difference 28.5 mm), and ability to chew (mean
difference 17.3 mm) significantly higher. Significantly higher scores were also given by the
implant group for their ability to chew certain hard foods. A trend for an increase in the
differences between the groups, in favor of the implant group, was observed between the
2- and 6-month recalls, although the increase was only significant for ease of cleaning. The
primary influence on general satisfaction 6 months after the delivery of the prostheses was
the provision of the two-implant overdenture. Conclusion: Edentulous seniors who received
mandibular implant overdentures opposing a conventional denture rated their general
satisfaction approximately 36% higher than did a comparable group provided with new
conventional dentures. Int J Prosthodont 2003;16:467–473.
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