Three Years Evaluation of Single Versus Two Implants Retained Mandibular Overdenture Regarding Marginal Bone Loss, Gingival and Plaque Indices: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Completely edentulous patients' primary concerns with mandibular dentures are lack of stability and retention, along with a diminished ability to chew. Nevertheless, when dental implants were developed, it was feasible to prevent these issues and considerably improve the functional activities. Objectives: Estimating the marginal level of the bone and peri-implant soft tissue response around single versus two implants retained mandibular over-dentures was the goal of this investigation. Materials and methods: 24 completely edentulous patients with a mean age of 56 years (13 males and 11 women) were carefully chosen for this investigation. Selected patients were divided at random into 2 equal groups, 12 each. It was chosen whether to place with a single implant (GI) or two inter-foramina implants (GII) in the mandible. The implants had been attached to locator attachments after a three-month healing period, and the denture had been delivered with the retentive components integrated into the denture base. Estimates of marginal bone loss and peri-implant soft tissue response were taken at the three-, six- to twelve-months'-, and three-year follow-up exams. In G II, 24 implants were inserted, compared to 36 in G I. All participants finished the three-year follow-up period. Results: Regarding marginal loss of bone, the two-implant group (GII) displayed less amount of loss in comparison to single implant group (GI) but this difference was not significant from statistical point of view. Regarding the plaque index and gingival index, the findings revealed that there were no significant differences between the patients in either group. Conclusion: In comparison to one implant-retained mandibular overdenture, marginal bone loss was reduced with two implant-retained mandibular overdentures. However, single implant mandibular overdentures appear to a substitute option for the management of edentulous persons in poor socioeconomic categories.