Mandibular overdentures retained by conventional or mini implants: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Complete edentulism is an important public health problem, with high prevalence among the Brazilian elderly population. Tooth loss can cause significant functional impairment, as well as psychological discomfort and social disability. Overdentures retained by two conventional implants have been considered as the standard of care for complete edentulismo. Nevertheless, a large number of patients refuses that treatment modality due to associated costs and post surgical discomfort. Mini implants have great potential to overcome those limitations, as long as they are potentially less expensive than conventional implants. Moreover, they can be inserted by means of relatively simple operative procedures. The major drawback of mini implants for overdentures is their recent development and consequent lack of scientific data about their behavior in comparison with conventional implants. This research protocol aims to gather data regarding that aspect, by comparing overdentures retained by mini implants or conventional implants as a treatment modality for edentulous adult patients. The study will comprise 120 edentulous participants who will receive either one of three possible interventions at the anterior mandible: (1) four mini implants; (2) two mini implants; and (3) two conventional implants, as a comparator. We will evaluate implant success rate, patient satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life, as well as treatment costs, during 6 months. (AU)