Immediate Loading of Mandibular Overdentures Retained by Two Mini-Implants: A Case Series Preliminary Report

Abstract

Elisabetta Bellia, DDS, PhD/Luca Boggione, DDS, MS/Mara Terzini, PhD/Carlo Manzella, DDS/Guilio Menicucci, DDS: Purpose: This preliminary case series report sought to evaluate the efficacy of an immediate loading protocol for mandibular overdentures retained by two mini-implants with the outcome measures patient satisfaction, masticatory cycles, and masticatory efficiency at 1 year. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 11 patients was recruited, and the clinical protocol consisted of immediately loading two mini-implants (10 mm long and 2.4 mm or 2.9 mm in diameter) via a mandibular overdenture connection with Locator attachments. Each patient completed a satisfaction questionnaire and underwent masticatory cycle recordings and masticatory efficiency tests. Implant-related evaluations were carried out by assessing probing depth (PD), Plaque Index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), mobility, and pain. All tests and evaluations were carried out six times: before implant surgery (T₀), just before implant surgery with patient under anesthesia (T₁), following implant insertion with patient still under anesthesia (T₂), and at 3 months (T₃), 6 months (T₆), and 1 year (T₁₂) after implant insertion. Results: Implant survival rate was 95%, and statistically significant increases (P < .05) in masticatory cycle patterns, masticatory efficiency, comfort, stability, and phonetics were also recorded. Conclusion: The employed treatment protocol suggests promise as a viable treatment option that in the short term provides improved prosthesis stability, comfort, and function while decreasing surgical invasiveness. Long-term follow-up outcomes in larger patient sample studies will be required to confirm and validate the merits of this preliminary report.