Evaluation of Oral Health Related Quality of Life and patient satisfaction in three implant retained mandibular overdentures: A randomized cross-over clinical trial

PURPOSE To assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and patient satisfaction with a three-implant-retained mandibular overdenture. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this randomized crossover clinical trial, 20 edentulous patients received a new set of conventional complete dentures (baseline). Subsequently, three implants were placed in the anterior mandible; two of these were placed in the canine regions bilaterally, and one was placed in the midline. After successful osseointegration, complete dentures were attached to the implants using resilient attachments. The overdenture was retained either by three implants (test group) or two implants (control group). The sequence of treatment was randomized such that each patient experienced both treatment options for 6 months each. OHRQoL was assessed at baseline and after 6 months of function for each treatment option using Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and visual analog scale scores. Statistical analyses were performed using Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. RESULTS Conventional dentures resulted in significantly higher OHIP-14 and VAS scores (25.25 + 6.42; 8.55 + 1.73) compared to both the control group (11.15 + 5.39; 4 + 2) (P < .001) and the test group (6.25 + 4.02/2.06 + 1.48) (P < .001). Similarly, significantly higher mean OHIP-14 and VAS scores were noted for the control group compared to the test group (P < .001). CONCLUSION Overdentures retained by three implants resulted in better OHRQoL scores and higher patient satisfaction compared to overdentures retained by two implants and conventional complete dentures.