Evaluation of Implant Overdenture Retention with Two Different Attachments at 23mm Standard Inter-Implant Distance

Purpose: Evaluation of implant overdenture retention at 23mm standard inter-implant distance using OT Equator and locator attachments. Materials and methods: Twelve completely edentulous patients were selected for this study. For all patients, conventional complete dentures were constructed. Mandibular dentures were replicated into stereolithographic implant placement guide using CBCT. Every participant received 2-implants in the anterior mandibular area with inter-implant distance of 23 mm. After the osseointegration period, the mandibular conventional dentures were converted into implant retained overdentures attached with Locator attachment for (group I) (six patients) and OT Equator attachments for (group II) (six patients). Retention was evaluated for conventional mandibular complete dentures (T0), 3-months (T3) and, 6-months (T6) after overdenture insertion using digital force-meter. Results: Results revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the study groups representing mean retention force (P<0.05) except at T0 (baseline evaluation with conventional dentures) with higher mean values for group I (Locator attachment) than group II (OT Equator attachment). Conclusion: Regarding the limitations of this study: -Inter-implant distance of 23 mm for 2-implant overdentures could be considered a reliable modality for edentulous mandible. -Locator attachment may be preferable than OT Equator attachment regarding 2-implant overdenture retention at 23 mm inter-implant distance.