Purpose: To evaluate the peri-implant parameters of immediately placed and loaded mandibular overdentures over a 5-year follow-up period.
Materials and Methods: All subjects who had been advised and planned for two-implant mandibular overdenture treatment were included in this study. The peri-implant parameters –including plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI) and peri-implant pocket depth (PIPD) as well as marginal bone loss (MBL) – were assessed. In addition, prosthodontic parameters including abutment-, implant- and denture-related complications were assessed. Patients were evaluated at follow-up visits, scheduled at 1, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. The data distribution was analysed with the Shapiro-Wilk test. Data within follow-up categories were compared using ANOVA and the Tukey-Kramer test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among the 32 participants, 19 were males and 13 were females, with a mean age of 60.5 ± 7.33. The mean plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI) and peri-implant pocket depth (PIPD) varied over time. However, no statistically significant difference was observed in the plaque index, bleeding index and peri-implant pocket depth over time (p > 0.05). The mean value at baseline was found to be -0.9 ± 0.3. The values increased over time, with the highest value observed at 60 months 2.6 ± 0.7, which was statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Immediately placed and loaded mandibular implant overdentures using two un-splinted implants with locator attachments showed acceptable PI, BI and PIPD at the 5-year follow-up. Statistically significantly greater marginal bone loss was observed from baseline to follow-up, but it was within acceptable limits. A moderate number of restorative and abutment complications were observed during the follow-up of IODs.