Aim: This clinical study aimed to compare the effect of using two different techniques in fabrication of copings in telescopic overdenture retained by two dental implants in the anterior mandibular region on patient satisfaction and overdenture retention in a follow up period of one year. The secondary metal copings are either free hand casted or 3D printed.
Materials and Methods: In this clinical study, 20 patients who were treated with maxillary complete denture and mandibular overdentures retained by two implants over one year follow up period and met the inclusion criteria of the study. Each patient was asked to fill out a questionnaire to evaluate the general satisfaction with the implant assisted overdenture and force gauge was used to evaluate overdenture retention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.
Results: Evaluation of overall patient satisfaction with overdenture revealed that, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Within each group, there was a significant difference in patients` satisfaction during all follow up periods. Regarding overdenture retention, there was no significant difference between both groups during follow up periods. However, within each group, there was a significant difference between all follow up periods except between baseline and 1 year in 3d printed group. Conclusion: No significant difference between free hand and indirect 3d printing techniques. Future studies should be considered with larger sample size, different techniques and materials.