objective: evaluation of retention and soft tissues conditions (gingival index, and pocket (probing) depth) of implants retained maxillary overdenture using bar attachments fabricated with different pick-up techniques (direct and indirect techniques)
methodology: Twenty patients with upper edentulous arches were categorized according to the pattern of their treatment modalities into two groups. The first group placed four implants in the canine and molar areas with bar attachments using the direct pick-up technique, and the second group placed four implants in the canine and molar areas with bar attachments using the indirect pick-up technique for fabrication. The dental implant was evaluated for retention using (force meter analysis) and pre-implant conditions (probing depth and gingival index) using silliness and low index, these evaluations were established at insertion,one month,3 months, and 6 months later. Data were collected and the changed values between each successive time were tabulated.
Results: Regarding the changes by the time there was a significant difference in retention values occurred between the two groups after one month of insertion, there was a statistically non-significant difference in retention values between the two groups observed for the whole study period. probing depth showed a nonsignificant increase with time. Although there was a statistically significant increase in probing depth in Group A (using bar attachments with a direct pick-up technique) than in Group B (with an indirect pick-up technique during denture processing) after 1 month.
Conclusion: maxillary implants retained with bar attachment anchoring were associated with a high retained score and satisfactory peri-implant conditions.