%0 Journal Article
%T Mini-implant mandibular overdentures under a two-step immediate loading protocol: A 4-6-year retrospective study.
%A Park JH
%A Shin SW
%A Lee JY
%J Gerodontology
%V 40
%N 4
%D Dec 2023 16
%M 37061876
%F 2.75
%R 10.1111/ger.12683
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>This retrospective study to evaluate the treatment outcomes of mandibular mini-implant overdentures (MIODs) placed under a two-step immediate loading protocol.<BR><B>BACKGROUND: </B>The mini-implant overdenture emphasises the advantages of simplicity using flapless surgery and immediate loading. However, some mini-implant have lowe initial stability.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A total of 30 participants who used mandibular MIODs and maxillary removable complete dentures (RCDs) over 4 years were included. Four one-piece mini-implants (<3 mm in diameter) were placed by a flapless surgical approach after fabrication of new RCDs, and the O-ring attachment was attached at least 8 weeks after implant placement.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The average observation period was 58.9 ± 9.2 months after mini-implant loading. The survival rate of the implants was 100.0%, and the overall change in mean marginal bone level (ΔMBL) was -0.9 ± 1.1 mm. The implant success rate was 83.3% at the implant level, and 66.7% at the patient level. The mean initial Periotest value was 0.9 ± 3.1, and it was positively associated with ΔMBL and implant success (P < .05). Patient satisfaction improved after conversion from RCDs to MIODs (P < .05), and mastication and pain showed greater satisfaction with longer loading time (P < .05).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The mandibular MIODs could be chosen as an alternative treatment under a two-step immediate-loading protocol in edentulous patients with limited alveolar bone volume. To ensure superior treatment outcomes of MIODs, initial stability of implant must be obtained using as wide a diameter as possible within the anatomically allowable limits.