A Randomized Controlled Trial of Implant-retained Mandibular Overdentures

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Implant-retained Mandibular Overdentures
2006
P.F. Allen1,*, J.M. Thomason2, N.J.A. Jepson2, F. Nohl2, D.G. Smith2, and J. Ellis2
Journal of Dental Research

© 2006 International and American Associations for Dental Research

1 National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland; and
2 University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

* corresponding author, University Dental School & Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland; f.allen@ucc.ie

ABSTRACT

Evidence from randomized clinical trials of implant-retained overdentures is very limited at the present time. The aim of this study was to compare implant-retained mandibular overdentures and conventional complete dentures in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Our a priori hypothesis was that implant-retained mandibular overdentures would be significantly better than conventional complete dentures. Edentulous patients (n = 118) were randomly allocated to either an Implant Group (n = 62) or a Denture Group (n = 56). Patients completed the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) and a denture satisfaction scale pre-treatment and three months post-treatment. Upon completion of treatment, both groups reported improvement (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon Ranks Sum test) in oral-health-related quality of life and denture satisfaction. There were no significant post-treatment differences between the groups, but a treatment effect may be masked by application of "intention to treat" analysis. The OHIP change scores were significantly greater for patients receiving implants than for those who refused them.

KEY WORDS: implants Ô overdentures Ô quality of life Ô randomized controlled trial

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