Objective This review evaluated the change in treatment outcomes after conversion from conventional removable partial denture (RPD) to implant‐assisted removable partial denture (IARPD). The patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs), objective parameters for evaluation of functional performance, and biological and mechanical complication were evaluated. Materials and Methods This systematic review was based on the Cochrane review methodology and followed the criteria of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (PRISMA). We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus up to April 3, 2019. After the initial search, additional electronic and hand searches were performed to identify further studies, ongoing studies, and gray literature, without restrictions on language, year of publication, or publication type. Results In total, 6,544 non‐duplicate articles were identified, and 31 were eligible for full‐text search. Finally, 19 publications based on 13 independent studies were selected. In the meta‐analysis, general patient satisfaction was significantly increased (p < .05), and the improved mastication was remarkable oral function. In oral health‐related quality of life, the oral health impact profile score was significantly improved, and improvements of physical pain and psychological disability were prominent (p < .05). Masticatory performance was improved in terms of maximum bite force, active occlusal contact area, and mandibular jaw movement (p < .05). The weighted mean survival rate of implants was 96.60%. Conclusions After conversion from conventional RPD to IARPD, the PROMs and masticatory performance significantly improved in partially edentulous patients under mandibular Kennedy classification I.

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Objectives To compare the clinical treatment outcomes of maxillary four‐implant retained overdentures with either splinted (bar) attachments or non‐splinted (ball) attachments. Material and Methods Forty participants who were dissatisfied with their existing conventional maxillary complete dentures were included in this randomized controlled trial. Six months after implant placement, a definitive prosthesis was inserted. Implant success, condition of peri‐implant tissue, prosthodontic maintenance and complications, and patient satisfaction were assessed. Outcomes were recorded at baseline, prosthesis delivery, and at 3 and 12 months following prosthesis delivery, and a statistical analysis was performed. Results Thirty‐two of the forty patients completed the 1‐year follow‐up and had their treatment outcomes evaluated. The mean marginal bone loss after 1 year of loading was 0.34 ± 0.88 mm, and there were no significant differences between the two groups. Plaque index, gingival index and bleeding on probing were significantly higher in the bar group (p<.001), and the implant success rate of the bar group was significantly lower than that of the ball group (p=.028). The most frequent prosthodontic maintenance and complication issue was the need to change the bar clip or O‐ring as a result of retention loss. Patient satisfaction did not differ between the two groups except for aesthetics at 3 months. Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, the maxillary 4‐implant retained overdenture exhibited predictable results regardless of the attachment systems (ball or bar) in the 1‐year follow‐up period. The bar group was more vulnerable than the ball group with respect to maintaining peri‐implant tissue health.

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PURPOSEThis study aimed to assess the effect of non-thermal plasma on the shear bond strength of resin cements to polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) in comparison to other surface treatment methods.MATERIALS AND METHODSEighty PEKK discs were subjected to different surface treatments: (1) Untreated (UT); (2) Non-thermal plasma (NTP); (3) Sandblasting with 50 µm Al2O3 particles (SB); and (4) Sandblasting + Non-thermal plasma (SB+NTP). After each surface treatment, the contact angle was measured. Surface conditioning with Visio.Link was applied in all groups after pre-treatment. RelyX Unicem resin cement was bonded onto the PEKK specimens. After fabrication of the specimens, half of each group (n=10) was initially tested, while the other half was subjected to thermocycling (5℃ to 55℃ at 10,000 cycles). Shear bond strength (SBS) testing was performed using a universal testing machine, and failure modes were assessed using stereomicroscopy. The SBS results were analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Independent t-test was used to examine the effect of thermocycling (P<.05).RESULTSThe highest SBS values with or without thermocycling were observed with PEKK specimens that were treated with SB+NTP followed by the SB group. The lowest SBS results were observed in the UT groups.CONCLUSIONThe shear bond strength between PEKK and resin cements was improved using non-thermal plasma treatment in combination with sandblasting.