Evaluation Of Retentive Properties Of Different Attachments For Implant-Retained Maxillary Overdentures- An Original Research

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of our study was to evaluation of retentive properties of different attachments for implant-retained maxillary overdentures.

Materials and Methodology: Two implant replicas (CMI), of 3.75 mm diameter and 10 mm length, were placed in the intraforaminal region. Acrylic resin mandibular overdentures were fabricated and provision was made to receive three different overdenture attachment systems, prefabricated ball/o-ring attachment, Hader bar and clip attachment, and Locator® implant overdenture attachment stud type. Using a universal testing machine, each of the models were subjected to 100 pulls each to dislodge the overdenture from the acrylic model, and the force values as indicated on the digital indicator were tabulated both before and after thermocycling (AT).

Results: The statistical model revealed a significantly different behavior of the attachment systems both before and AT. The ball/o-ring and bar attachments developed higher retentive force as compared to the locator attachment. The bar and clip attachment exhibited the highest peak as well as the highest mean retention force at the end of the study. The Locator® attachment showed a decrease in retentive potential after an early peak.

Conclusions and Clinical Implications: The ball/o-ring and bar and clip attachments exhibit higher retentive capacities than the Locator® attachment over time.