Prosthetic rehabilitation of resorbed mandible with two implant-supported overdentures using ball attachments.

The aim of this study was to describe a technique of fabrication of two implant-supported mandibular overdentures. There are several treatment modalities for completely edentulous patients including conventional complete dentures (CDs), implant-supported overdentures (IODs), and implant-supported fixed prosthesis. Patients with a severely resorbed mandible often experience problems with their conventional CDs. Treatment concepts involving IODs have proven to be as satisfactory as implant-supported fixed prosthesis with added advantage of ease in hygiene maintenance and less cost. This clinical report summarizes a simplified and accurate method of fabricating two implant-supported mandibular overdentures. In this case, two implants were placed in the intercanine region of mandibular ridge and conventional CD was installed. Three months later, this CD was converted into implant-supported mandibular overdenture. Conventional CDs have shown less satisfaction rates by patients over a period of time in terms of function. Moreover, there are researches showing increased rate of resorption with these dentures. Thus, IODs are used routinely to provide a better quality of life to edentulous patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]