Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prosthetic complications and maintenance of implant retained maxillary and mandibular overdentures constructed with fully balanced and lingualized balanced occlusal schemes.
Materials and methods: Eight participants with edentulous maxillary and mandibular ridges received 4 implant fixtures in the lateral incisor and first premolar areas of maxilla and 2 implant fixtures in the cuspid areas of the mandible using the submerged surgical protocol. Maxillary and mandibular overdentures were constructed with either fully balanced occlusal scheme (group I) or lingualized balanced occlusal scheme (group II) and connected to the implants with Locator attachments after 6 months of implant insertion. Evaluation of prosthetic maintenance and complications for both maxillary and mandibular dentures in both groups were made after one year of denture insertion.
Results: For maxillary and mandibular overdentures, group I had significant higher incidence of screw loosening, insert wear, insert replacement than Group II. While Group II had higher incidence of teeth wear than Group I. No significant difference in denture reline and insert distortion between both groups was noted. For mandibular overdentures, group I was associated with significant higher mucositis, soreness, ulcer decubitus than Group II. For maxillary overdentures, no significant difference in mucositis, soreness, hyperplasia or flabby ridges between groups was noted.
Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, Lingualized balanced occlusal concept is recommended for maxillary and mandibular implant overdentures as it was associated with significant lower prosthetic and soft tissue complications than fully balanced occlusal concept.