Abstract
Objective: To evaluate and compare the peri-implant marginal bone height changes in two implant retained overdentures constructed by either CAD/CAM technology or conventional processing techniques.
Background: The digital denture using CAD/CAM technology has proved high beneficial to the elders and/or the compromised edentulous patient, as it can help decrease the treatment burden on the patient by reducing the clinical procedures, number of visits, treatment time, and incurred costs.
Materials and Methods: Twenty completely edentulous patients participated in this study. The patients were randomly allocated to two equal groups of patients (Group A and group B). Group A patients received complete dentures constructed by conventional heat cured technique. Group B patients received complete dentures constructed by CAD/CAM technology. All the patients received two root form implants bilaterally in the canine regions following delayed loading protocol. Locator attachment was then used to retain the overdenture after 3 months healing period. Marginal bone height was radiographically evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 months after implant loading.
Results: There was a significant loss in marginal bone height around the supporting implants in each study group. However, no significant differences in marginal bone height were recorded between the study groups over the observation period (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Peri-implant marginal bone height changes with overdentures fabricated by CAD/CAM technique are not different from those changes with overdentures fabricated by a conventional heat curd technique.