Objective: Review the prosthodontic maintenence required for mandibular implant-supported overdentures and measure prosthesis longevity. Materials and methods: We designed a multicentric observational, analytical, retrospective study. Forty five edentulous patients attending private services between 1992 and 1998 who had been provided with two Bränemark implants in the mandible for a complete overdenture retention were included.There were no exclusion criteria. All the overdentures had the same design: The overdenture with a straight-bar was supported by two implants placed in the canine/lateral incisor location. The prothesis was metal reinforced. The bar was oval at the cross section. The clips allowed the overdenture to rotate round the bar, fewer lateral forces are transmitted to the implants. All the protheses are implant and mucosa supported. All were resin teeth. To evaluate the prosthodontic outcome of the implant overdentures we recoded: lost to follow up, need to be repaired and replaced and success, no evidence of retreatment except for accepted manteinance ( we consider accepted manteinance two replacements in the first year or five replacements and one reline of the overdenture in five years).Results: Forty five inferior overdentures were studied, mean age 69 years DE 4.3. One patient died during the study period. Lost to follow up: One overdenture is replaced by a fixed implant protheses. Retreatment (Repair): Ten overdentures need repairing. Retreatment (Replace): One implant was lost, replaced and another overdenture constructed. Success: 82.2%( 37 overdentures) Survival: No one was examined by another clinician to confirm no evidence of retreatment. Cost of the prosthodontic treatment over time,more than 5 years ago: 6000 € Prosthodontic aintenance in the first 5 years: 125 €/year Conclusion: Implants retaining overdentures may be considered a useful alternative, despite the number of postinsertion procedures required. The prosthodontic maintenance cost ( 125 €/year) should be known and the patient be informed.

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