Objectives: The current study was conducted to assess and compare 2 versus 4 implant supported mandibular over-denture using computer guided planning
Material& methods: The study was conducted on 16 patients who had completely edentulous jaws. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group A: 8 patients received 2-implant supported mandibular over-denture, and Group B: 8 patients received 4-implant supported mandibular over-denture using computer guided planning. After 4 months of healing, complete denture was connected to the implants with Locator attachment abutments. Clinical evaluation was performed through Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to assess patients' satisfaction after 12 months of loading. Radiographic evaluation was performed through CBCT to assess the marginal bone loss at 6, 12 months post-loading and posterior ridge resorption at 12 months post-loading. Statistical analysis of data was performed.
Results: all patients were satisfied with range of 7-10 VAS with no difference between the study groups. Group A showed significant higher marginal bone loss than group B at 6, 12 months post-loading. Group A showed significant higher values of posterior ridge resorption at 12 months post-loading.
Conclusion: increasing the number of implants from 2 to 4 in mandibular implant supported over-dentures leads to significant decrease in marginal bone loss, and residual posterior ridge resorption. But didn't have significant influence on patient satisfaction after 12 months of function.