, vol. 59, issue 2, 2013.
Objectives: the aim of this study is to evaluate the marginal bone height and density around implants-supported maxillary overdentures retained with two different types of attachments (bar attachments and locator attachments) placed in the canine and molar regions after nine months of loading and function.
Material and methods: fourteen patients were selected having completely edentulous upper arch opposed by natural teeth, divided into two groups, group A having implant-supported maxillary overdenture with bar attachment and group B having implant-supported maxillary overdenture with locator attachment. In both groups, the implants were placed in the canine and molar regions,radiographic evaluation at 0, 6 and 9 months for changing in the bone height and density of supporting structures of abutments using digital radiograph imaging(DIGORA).
Results: the data obtained from the present study showed decreased in the marginal bone height in group B than in group A especially in the distal surface of the implants installed in the molar region. This means that implants retained with locator attachments received.
Conclusion: As a treatment modality of a maxillary edentulous patients ,it could be concluded that implants retained with a splinted type of attachments(bar attachments) had a better effect load distribution over bone structures than using a non-splinted type of attachments(locator attachments).
