Satisfaction level and masticatory performance of patient rehabilitated with implant-supported overdentures

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the masticatory performance and satisfaction levels of subjects with normal dentition and subjects with implant-supported overdentures with two types of attachments (ball and bar-clip retention systems). Methods: The sample comprised 24 subjects, 12 edentulous patients and 12 dentate subjects. The denture wearers received two dental implants and new maxillary and mandibular dentures. Three months after the first surgical phase, the mandibular dentures were connected to the implants by a gold ball attachment. Two months later new mandibular overdentures were made with a bar-clip attachment. Satisfaction levels (modified OHIP-EDENT and verbal rating scale) and masticatory performance (chewing for 40 masticatory cycles) were measured with the old dentures, with the unattached new dentures, and with the new dentures with ball and bar-clip attachments. Data were analyzed by Friedman and chi-square tests. Results: Both masticatory performance and satisfaction levels significantly improved after implant treatment. No significant differences were observed between the overdentures with ball and bar attachments. However, the masticatory performance after treatment was still significantly lower than the performance of the healthy subjects. Conclusion: The rehabilitation of edentulous patients with overdenture with ball or bar-clip attachment improves both satisfaction and masticatory performance, but the outcomes levels are not equal as those found for dentate subjects.