Abstract
patients with thin atrophied mandibular ridges cannot receive conventional implants so the shift to mini implants is mandatory instead of complicated surgical techniques.
Methodology: sixteen completely edentulous patients received conventional dentures. after 3 months of adaptation all patients randomly divided into 2 groups group I receive 4 mini implants with ERA attachments while group II receive 4 mini implants with ball and socket attachments.
Radiographic evaluation of crestal bone level was measured using CBCT. Also Prosthetic complications and maintenance were detected for both groups.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate radiographically the effect of using two mini implant attachments on crestal bone level and what type can be less detrimental to marginal bone height; the ball and socket or ERA attachment?
Results: no significant difference were recorded between both groups regarding the crestal bone loss. While regarding the prosthetic maintenance the ERA group showed more complications that requiring adjustment and maintenance.
Conclusion: Four mini implant placement is considered an alternative treatment option to two regular size implants specially in thin atrophied mandibular ridges. Marginal bone loss during the one-year follow up for both attachment systems is moderate and within the acceptable limits. ERA attachment group require more prosthetic maintenance than that of ball and socket group.