Implant-Supported Mandibular Overdentures Retained with a Milled Bar: A Retrospective Study

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate implant survival rate, peri-implant conditions, and prosthodontic maintenance for implant-supported mandibular overdentures rigidly retained with a milled bar. Materials and Methods: Patients with 4 interforaminal implants (cylindric or screw-type) supporting an overdenture on a milled bar treated between 1996 and 2004 were asked to participate in a retrospective study. The cumulative implant survival rate and peri-implant conditions (marginal bone loss, pocket depth, Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Bleeding Index, and calculus presence) were evaluated and compared between cylindric and screw-type implants. The incidence and type of prosthodontic maintenance and subjective patient satisfaction rating were also evaluated. Results: Fifty-eight of 67 patients (87.3%) and 232 implants (76 cylindric, 156 screw-type) were available for follow-up examination after a mean period of 59.2 ± 26.9 months. The cumulative implant survival rate was 99%, and no differences in peri-implant soft tissue conditions were noted between the different implant types used. The cylindric implants showed more pronounced marginal bone resorption than the screw-type implants (1.9 ± 0.6 mm vs 2.2 ± 0.6 mm; P = .02) but the difference was not clinically significant. A low incidence of prosthodontic maintenance evenly distributed throughout the overall follow-up period and a high subjective satisfaction rating by the patients were noted. Conclusion: Interforaminal screw-type and cylindric implants supporting a milled bar for rigid overdenture anchorage were associated with a high survival rate and excellent peri-implant conditions. The incidence of prosthodontic maintenance was low and evenly distributed throughout the follow-up period as a result of rigid denture stabilization by the milled bar. Rigid anchorage of a mandibular overdenture with a milled bar unites the prosthodontic advantages of removable and fixed prostheses. (Clinical Trial) (More than 50 references.) Keywords: edentulous mandible, implant-supported overdentures, milled bar, prosthodontic maintenance