Purpose: the aim of this study was to compare the patient satisfaction and prosthetic maintenance with conventional complete denture versus telescopic overdenture for the same patient.
Materials and method: Eight completely edentulous male patients were selected to receive complete dentures for six months. after 6 months period all the patients received four interforaminal implants followed by construction of telescopic overdenture. during the two designs periods both patient satisfaction (VAS) and proshetic maintenance were analysed.
Results: The obtained data revealed that the parameters of VAS for group II (Telescopic overdentures) were significantly higher for items 1,3,4 and 6 (satisfaction, speech, stability and chewing ability) as p- value is less than 0.001. However, the ratings for the same group were significantly lower for items 2, 5, 7and 8, that is, comfort with the denture, handling of dentures, metallic taste and ease of hygiene procedure (p <.001) as compared with the groupI (conventional complete dentures). The overall number of maintenance interventions and service provided was equal to 8 in group I and to 9 in group II, respectively. Table 2 gives an overview of the maintenance performed for both groups. more interventions were counted for group I, regarding items 10,11, and 12 (sore spots, relining and occlusal adjustments).While there were more maintenance interventions counted for group II, regarding items 6,9.and 14 (denture base resin fracture, changing the denture design and excessive tooth wear). But regarding the rest of items, there was no maintenance intervention at all for both groups.
Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study the following conclusions can be made:
1. Edentulous patients who selected and included in this study were satisfied with both designs, however mandibular telescopic overdentures showed significant improvement in visual analouge scale regarding overall satisfaction, speech, stability and chewing ability compared to mandibular conventional complete dentures worn for the same period (6 months).
2- Overall prosthetic maintenance required for telescopic overdenture is slightly more than that needed for conventional dentures.