Follow up and maintenance of implant supported prostheses: a comparison of 20 complete mandibular overdentures and 20 complete mandibular fixed cantilever prostheses

Two independently selected groups of 20 patients who were edentulous in te mandible, were followed up on a regular basis over a 5-year period following restoration with a lower implant stabilised prosthesis and conventional upper denture. Significantly more treatment was required by those who received complete mandibular overdentures than those provided with complete fixed mandibular prostheses. In addition to adjustment for the relief of denture trauma to the mucosa, more mechanical problems arose with overdenture implant prostheses.