Quantitative and qualitative assessment of the wear pattern of two attachment systems of dissimilar materials for mandibular implant-retained overdentures: an in-vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Attachment material is one of the contributing factors to the degree of wear of the attachment components in mandibular implant-retained overdentures. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the wear behavior of 2 different attachment systems of dissimilar materials in mandibular implant-retained overdentures by qualitative and quantitative methods. METHODS: Two attachment systems of different materials were utilized (n = 16); Titach (Dental Evolutions Inc, Beverly Hills, CA, USA) with a titanium-to-titanium interface and Locator R-Tx (Zest Anchors Inc, Escondido, CA, USA) with a titanium-to-nylon interface. One thousand cycles of overdenture insertion and removal simulating 1-year clinical use were performed. All matrices were removed from the overdentures and all patrices were unscrewed from the implants for wear assessment quantitively using a stereomicroscope and qualitatively using a scanning electron microscope. Data were analyzed by using an independent sample t test. RESULTS: After cyclic loading, stereomicroscopic findings showed that the Titach group had statistically significant higher wear value than the Locator R-Tx group (p < 0.001). Moreover, scanning electron microscopy images showed noticeable abrasion in Titach patrix at the area of highest convexity. However, the Locator R-Tx matrix displayed an apparent tear of rubber inserts. CONCLUSIONS: Titach attachment with the titanium-to-titanium interface revealed more wear than Locator R-Tx attachment with the titanium-to-nylon interface. Thus, the type of attachment material influences the degree of wear of the attachment components.

Overdentures of the patient with Parkinson's disease: A case report / 대한치과보철학회지

The retention of complete dentures in patients with Parkinson's disease is often poor due to their constant dislodgement by involuntary movements of the tongue and lips. Furthermore, insertion of the overdenture is expected to be difficult due to their limited voluntary movements. This case is about the bimaxillary overdenture restoration where its retention and stability are improved, using magnetic attachment of remained roots of maxilla and two implant Locator(R) attachments of mandible in patients with Parkinson's disease. This report describes the fabrication of this functionally improved prosthesis.

Removable implant-supported partial denture using milled bar with Locator(R) attachments in a cleft lip & palate patient: A clinical report / 대한치과보철학회지

Due to the limitations of conventional removable partial denture prostheses to treat a cleft lip & palate patient who shows scar tissue on upper lip, excessive absorption of the maxillary residual alveolar ridge, and class III malocclusion with narrow palate and undergrowth of the maxilla, 4 implants were placed on the maxillary edentulous region and a maxillary removable implant-supported partial denture was planned using a CAD/CAM milled titanium bar. Unlike metal or gold casting technique which has shrinkage after the molding, CAD/CAM milled titanium bar is highly-precise, economical and lightweight. In practice, however, it is very hard to obtain accurate friction-fit from the milled bar and reduction in retention can occur due to repetitive insertion and removal of the denture. Various auxiliary retention systems (e.g. ERA(R), CEKA(R), magnetics, Locator(R) attachment), in order to deal with these problems, can be used to obtain additional retention, cost-effectiveness and ease of replacement. Out of diverse auxiliary attachments, Locator(R) has characteristics that are dual retentive, minimal in vertical height and convenient of attachment replacement. Drill and tapping method is simple and the replacement of the metal female part of Locator(R) attachment is convenient. In this case, the Locator(R) attachment is connected to the milled titanium bar fabricated by CAD/CAM, using the drill and tapping technique. Afterward, screw holes were formed and 3 Locator(R) attachments were secured with 20 Ncm holding force for additional retention. Following this procedure, satisfactory results were obtained in terms of aesthetic facial form, masticatory function and denture retention, and I hereby report this case.

Removable partial denture restoration using single implant supported with Locator(R) attachment in a crossed occlusion patient: a case report / 대한치과보철학회지

When losing many of the remaining teeth, the relation among them can be put into dynamically unfavorable situation. In the case that the patient without any incompatibilityto the denture, overdenture can be considered. Moreover, we can overcome the dynamical disadvantage, and improve the support, stability, and retention of the partial denture by using implant at the edentulous area. In this case, patient with crossed occlusion between few remaining teeth was treated with maxillary and mandibular partial denture. Single implant fixture was placed at the edentulous space, opposing to the maxillary teeth occluded, and Locator(R) attachment was connected. The patient's esthetic satisfaction was improved by ideally adjusting the tilted occlusal plane. Since the patient was satisfied both esthetically and functionally, and maintained stable during the clinical observation for 6 months after the treatment, we would like to report about it.