How to make an implant overdenture succeed

Abstract

An implant overdenture (IOD) with a few implants as an abutment can improve not only the oral function but also the clinical effectiveness for esthetics, cleanability, and changeability as compared to a fixed implant prosthesis. It is possible for elderly patients with declining self-sufficiency to have difficulty caring for their own implants when in their home or the hospital; therefore, a removable denture has to be considered as an alternative to an implant fixed prosthesis. The functions and denture movements of the IOD change remarkably depending on the location, number of implants, direction of implant placement, and attachment selection. Recently, the application of implant assistants has contributed to movement toward an implant removable partial denture (IRPD), leading to increasingly diversified outcomes. This paper outlines reasons to reconsider choosing an IOD, the fundamental approach necessary for IOD success, and ways to maintain and treat complications of IOD and select attachments. Key words: implant overdenture, attachment selection, maintenance, trouble shooting, survival rate