Retention of maxillary implant overdenture bars of different designs

Abstract

Statement of problem: The specific degree of retention for overdenture attachments is unknown in relation to design, location, and alignment to supporting dental implants.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the initial retention characteristics of 5 implant maxillary overdenture designs under in vitro dislodging forces.

Material and methods: A simulated edentulous maxilla was fabricated with 4 screw-type 3.75 x 13-mm implants anteriorly. Five overdenture designs with the following attachments were evaluated: 4 plastic Hader clips with an EDS bar; 2 plastic anterior Hader clips with an identical EDS bar; 2 Hader clips with 2 posterior ERA attachments; 3 Zaag attachments on a bar; and 4 Zaag attachments with no bar. Overdentures were fabricated with full palatal coverage. Each design was subjected to 10 consecutive retention pulls on a universal testing machine. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and t tests to determine differences.

Results: The highest average value after 10 pulls was 19.8 lb for the combination ERA and Hader clip design. The lowest retentive values were recorded for the 2 and 4 Hader clip designs (5.08 +/- 0.89 lb and 5.06 +/- 0.67 lb, respectively). Retention decreased over the course of consecutive pulls for all designs, especially for the most retentive designs. The smallest retention decrease occurred with the least retentive designs.

Conclusion: The results of this in vitro study suggest that the precise selection and placement of attachments may affect the clinical success of maxillary implant-retained overdentures.