I. Naert et al., A COMPARATIVE PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF SPLINTED AND UNSPLINTED BRANEMARK IMPLANTS IN MANDIBULAR OVERDENTURE THERAPY - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT, The Journal of prosthetic dentistry, 71(5), 1994, pp. 486-492
Thirty-six edentulous patients, each provided with two Branemark impla
nts in the mandible to anchor an overdenture, were selected for this s
tudy and randomly divided into three groups of 12 patients each. In ea
ch group a different attachment system was used: (1) magnets, (2) ball
attachments, and (3) straight bars with clips (control). The mean loa
ding time was 12.4 months (range 3 to 24 months). This study investiga
ted (1) the clinical behavior of loaded implants by means of overdentu
res related to their connection system (splinted versus unsplinted) an
d (2) the clinical performance of prosthetic treatment. Preliminary re
sults indicate no differences; no failures occurred and the level of m
arginal bone height, as well as the probing attachment level, changed
similarly in the three groups. Although splinted bar-retained overdent
ures scored better objectively, subjective satisfaction ratings did no
t differ. It was concluded that for the short follow-up period, the st
ate of connection did not influence the clinical success of implants.
However, no definite conclusions may be drawn until long-term data bec
ome available.