MAXILLARY BONE-RESORPTION IN PATIENTS WITH MANDIBULAR IMPLANT-SUPPORTED OVERDENTURES OR FIXED PROSTHESES

For several years, implant-supported overdentures have been used with excellent results in rehabilitation of the edentulous mandible. The ef f ect on the antagonistic jaw bone resorption however, has not yet bee n evaluated. The aim of this study was to examine on orthopantomograms the anterior and posterior maxillary ridge resorption in three groups of patients with different mandibular prosthetic reconstructions: (1) overdentures supported by two implants, (2) fixed prostheses supporte d by four to six implants, and (3) complete dentures. The results indi cated a more pronounced annual bone resorption in complete denture wea rers compared to patients with implant-supported overdentures. A limit ed but continuing bone resorption was observed for the patients with i mplant-supported overdentures, and a slightly higher annual bone resor ption occurred in the implant-supported fixed prosthesis group.