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. 2021 Sep 10;7(1):87.
doi: 10.1186/s40729-021-00371-6.

Prospective clinical implementation of optional implant treatment into pregraduate dental education-mini implants for retention and support of mandibular overdentures

Peer W Kämmerer #  1   2 , Jens M Wolf #  3 , Ingo Buttchereit  4 , Bernhard Frerich #  4 , Peter Ottl #  3   5
Affiliations

Prospective clinical implementation of optional implant treatment into pregraduate dental education-mini implants for retention and support of mandibular overdentures

Peer W Kämmerer et al. Int J Implant Dent. .

Abstract

Background: The primary aim of the study was to evaluate mini implant (MDI) survival, prosthodontic maintenance, and patient-reported outcome measures after conducting an optional pregraduate academic course on patients with mandibular edentulism including fabrication of overdentures and MDI planning and placement as well as chair-side incorporation of the respective restauration. In a prospective clinical study, 20 patients received 80 MDIs that were restored with mandibular overdentures. All treatment steps including placement of 40 MDIs were conducted by undergraduate students under strict guidance of a consultant. Next to students' perceptions after participation, survival of MDIs, and prosthodontic maintenance, patients' perceptions as well as peri-implant parameters were assessed after 4 weeks and 3 and 12 months.

Results: Three MDIs fractured (two during insertion and one after 3 months; total survival 96.25%). Two overdentures fractured and a total of 23 cases of minor prosthodontic maintenance were required. Over time, patients' satisfaction significantly increased. Besides, questionnaires showed a high rate of students' positive perception and high self-confidence to include MDI therapy into own practice.

Conclusions: The results are in accordance to those reported by postgraduate dentists. In accordance, therapy with MDI-retained mandibular overdentures seems to be feasible and successful at pregraduate level if the students receive guidance.

Keywords: Implant prosthodontics; Implant surgery; Mini implants; Student education; Undergraduate dental curriculum.

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Conflict of interest statement

Peer W. Kämmerer, Jens M. Wolf, Ingo Buttchereit, Bernhard Frerich, and Peter Ottl declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a, b Exemplary preoperative photographs from the top (a) and from the front (b)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Excerpt from an exemplary preoperative radiography showing the mandibular bone with sufficient height
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
After marking of the planned MDI-positions, a mucoperiosteal flap without releasing incisions is raised
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Excerpt from an exemplary preoperative radiography showing inserted MDIs
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Blocking of undercut spaces of the implants with rubber tube before insertion of the pre-manufactured overdenture
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Metallic housings retained into the overdenture
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Incorporated overdenture
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Boxplots showing OHIP-G 14 values of included patients before treatment as well as after 4 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months of follow-up
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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