Dentistry

Abstract

Bar Locator Versus Bar Clip Attachment for Implant Assisted Mandibular Overdenture

Shady M, Emera R, Hegazy SA and Kenawy M

Objectives: To compare Bar-locator attachment versus Bar-clip attachment for retaining two implants assisted complete mandibular overdenture regarding masticatory efficiency and retention.
Materials and methods: Sixteen healthy completely edentulous male patients were selected for this study. Each patient received two inter-foraminal implants in the canine areas of the mandible using standardized two-stage surgical technique. Implants left unloaded for three months. The patients were randomly classified according to type of bar attachment into two equal groups, Group (I) using Bar-locator attachment) and Group (II) using Bar-clip attachment. Masticatory efficiency and retention were evaluated using unmixed two colored chewing gums and digital force meter respectively. Evaluations were performed at time of insertion (T0), 3 months (T3) and 6 months (T6) after insertion.
Results: Regarding masticatory efficiency, both groups showed decrease in number of unmixed fraction as number of chewing strokes increased. In Group I, number of unmixed fraction significantly decreased with advance time, while in group II, the number of unmixed fraction significantly increased with advance time. Group I showed significant increase in number of unmixed fraction in most of chewing strokes at T0 and significant decrease in number of unmixed fraction at T3, T6 than in Group II. Regarding retention (measured in Newton N),it decreased significantly with advance of time, Group I (Bar-locator attachment) showed a statistically significant increased retention values (R) compared to Group II at different observation times.
Conclusion: Both types of bar attachment provided sufficient values in terms of retention and masticatory efficiency. However, bar-locator retained overdenture is considered a promising prosthesis regarding retention and long term masticatory efficiency.