In Vivo Comparison of Retention, Maximum Bite Force, and Patient Satisfaction Between Different Attachment Systems Used in Implant-Retained Overdentures

Abstract

Background: There is limited clinical literature available that directly compares retention, maximum bite force, and patient satisfaction between ball and locator attachment systems. Therefore, it is of interest to compare retention, maximum bite force, and patient satisfaction between ball and self‑aligning (positioner) attachments in mandibular implant‑retained overdentures. Materials and methods: Twenty edentulous patients were selected for the study and randomly divided into ball and self-aligning (positioner) attachment overdentures. Results: Over follow‑up, the self‑aligning attachment group showed greater retention, higher bite force, and better patient satisfaction compared to the ball‑attachment group. Thus, we show that the self-aligning positioner attachments are relatively better than ball attachments in terms of retention, bite force, and patient satisfaction. Conclusion: The present study provides valuable insights into the comparison of attachment systems for implant-supported overdenture; further research is imperative to validate these findings comprehensively. Additional clinical studies focusing on other attachment systems are crucial for advancing the field of implant dentistry and to provide a better understanding of long-term outcomes of these attachments.