Eight-year clinical and radiologic results of maxillary and mandibular implant-retained bar overdentures carried out on Oxidized (TiUnite™) Replace Select Implants placed in regenerated bone: A clinical case

This article describes the clinical and radiologic long-term results of a healthy, nonsmoker women aged 62 at the time of treatment, with severely resorbed edentulous jaws in which bar and clip supported complete dentures were delivered in both jaws and followed for 8 years after prosthesis delivery. The patient had been edentulous in both arches since she was 50 years old. Treatment included the placement of four mandibular implants with maximum spacing anterior to the mandibular nerve, and four maxillary implants anterior to sinus wall without tilting the posterior implants, because of the insufficient bone quantity necessary to angulate implants. Guided bone regeneration was required in the maxilla, due to a bone atrophy that limited the placement of conventional dental implants. After 4 months, a second-stage surgery was performed, and after 1 month of healing time the patient received definitive restorations. Implant survival rate, patient satisfaction, marginal bone maintenance, and soft tissue conditions at the modified titanium surface of the dental implants were evaluated after 8 years of function. A multifactorial approach, clinician-patient relationship, and vigilant maintenance of oral hygiene were needed in order to ensure an optimal treatment and a long-term successful result. Positive results regarding bone maintenance in the long-term perspective, also on regenerated bone, were observed using implants with implant-retained bar overdentures, when adequate levels of oral hygiene and prosthodontic adjustments are maintained. Keywords: bone regeneration, dental implants, implant surface, long term, overdenture bar