ATTACHMENT SYSTEMS FOR IMPLANT OVERDENTURES LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction Implant overdentures, as a treatment alternative for complete edentulism, are well known for their many benefits, directly related to attachment systems, the connection elements between overdentures and implants. Material and methods A narrative review was conducted on studies reporting data on the attachment systems for implant overdentures, considering aspects as design and biomechanical consequences (e.g., the impact on the balance of the overdenture, the relationship with the implants, technical characteristics for usage, efficiency and complications of different types of anchoring systems). There were included studies reported in the past 10 years. Results The choice of attachment systems in implant overdentures must take into consideration results on the long term, related to the retention and the stability of the overdenture, mechanical complications and also selecting criteria concerning the implant number and inclination, prosthetic conditions, the dexterity of the patient in manipulating the overdenture, biological conditions and therapeutic expectations, financial and time resources, and usage technique Most frequent complications of implant overdentures are related to biomechanical aspects of the attachment systems. Conclusions Treatment planning for implant overdentures must include selecting criteria for the attachment systems that should be based upon analysing the prosthetic space, implant particularities, advantages, disadvantages and possible complications of each type of attachment system.

Keywords

• overdenture
• attachment
• ball
• locator
• bar
• denture
• edentulous