Mandibular overdentures stabilized by Astra Tech implants with either ballattachments or magnets: 5-year results

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to report on the use of implant-stabi lized overdentures in the mandible using the Astra Tech implant system with either ball attachments or magnets as the retentive mechanism. Materials a nd Methods: Mandibular overdentures that used ball attachments on 2 implant s were provided for 13 edentulous patients; 12 edentulous patients were pro vided with mandibular overdentures with magnet retention, using 2 implants in 10 patients and 3 implants in 2 patients. Once they were comfortable, th e participants were placed on annual recall. Any other visits were initiate d by the patients. Detailed records were kept for all visits. At the annual recall the following parameters were monitored: plaque levels, mucosal hea lth, marginal bone levels, and the patients' assessment of the treatment. T he patients were followed for 5 years. Results: There was no statistical di fference between the 2 groups for mucosal health and postinsertion maintena nce. The magnet group had more abutment surfaces covered with plaque. Stati stical analysis of the patients' subjective assessment of their treatment s howed that the magnet group was less comfortable and chewing was less effec tive. Conclusion: The results indicate that both ball attachments and magne ts used on isolated Astra Tech implants in the mandible are viable treatmen t options. Both attachment mechanisms provided patient satisfaction, althou gh the ball attachments were better in this respect than the magnets.