This study was conducted to evaluate bone height around ball and socket
and equator attachment in mandibular overdenture retained by single implant. Material
and methods: Ten completely edentulous patients were selected with ages ranging
from 50-60 years. Single implant was inserted for each patient and they all received
heat cured acrylic dentures. The ten patients were divided into two groups, group
(I) have received ball &socket attachment, group (II) received equator attachment.
In the fitting surface of the lower denture two holes where made between 6 and 7
acrylic teeth and were filled with radioopaque material (amalgam) . These represented
posterior marker areas of evaluation the bone height. Evaluation of bone height around
the implant and the posterior edentulous area which were marked for measurement
was done by CAD_CAM CT at the time of attachment placement then after 3 months
then 6 months. Results: In our study the comparison of equator and ball and socket
attachments regarding the bone height changes around the implant revealed a significant
difference. On the other hand there was an insignificant difference when comparing
the distal extension area between them throughout the six months studies period.
Conclusion: According to this study the equator attachment group indicates lesser
marginal bone loss, as compared with the ball and socket attachment group, and there
is no difference in bone resorption on the posterior area of the ridge between the two
attachments