Mandibular Implant Overdenture Treatment: Consensus and Controversy

Abstract

Mandibular Implant Overdenture Treatment: Consensus and Controversy D. Burns, J Prosthodont. 2000;9:37–46 This report is a very good review of implant overdenture treatment for the edentulous mandible. The purpose of the article is to review portions of the available literature and to try to distinguish between areas of consensus of opinion and controversy. The author notes a possible paradigm shift in philosophy of treatment of the edentulous mandible and suggests that implant overdenture treatment could become the future standard of care. The utilization of dental implants in the mandible are described in relation to preservation of existing bone levels, the number of implants that are required for patient satisfaction, and whether the implants are interconnected or independent. Complications with various types of overdentures are discussed with regard to screw loosening, repair of attachment apparatuses, and prosthesis breakage. Periimplant response in areas of alveolar and attached gingiva are described in the literature as well as cases of combination syndrome. The photographs are well done but could have included more bar connection designs as well as more failures. The one failure shown was a magnet-retained overdenture that is seldom used. The implant used in the examples seemed to be centered on only one manufacturer brand. The conclusions drawn are divided into areas of general consensus and areas of controversy. The article was well written and could spawn future research to solve some of the areas of controversy.