Maxillary implant overdentures: current controversies

Abstract

Mandibular implant overdentures have established and predictable benefits over traditional mucosa-borne mandibular dentures and now form part of mainstream dentistry. Maxillary implant overdentures present a number of different challenges. This selective review highlights the paucity of evidence and inconsistent findings in the maxillary implant overdenture literature.

Maxillary Three‐Implant Overdentures Opposing Mandibular Two‐Implant Overdentures: 10‐Year Surgical Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Literature reviews and systematic reviews with meta‐analyses do reveal conflicting evidence on surgical recommendations for maxillary implant overdentures when evaluating the quality of clinical trials and opposing mandibular prostheses/dentitions. Sadowsky suggested four implants with good bone quality, but six implants in compromised bone.…”

“…This is in comparison with lower survival rate of 95.2%, when four implants are used with ball attachments. However, Dudley concluded that evidence for maxillary overdentures was still inconsistent, poorly standardized, and could not be cumulatively analyzed. Recommendations were for standardized research to provide more robust guidelines for maxillary implant overdenture management.…”

“…Recommendations were for standardized research to provide more robust guidelines for maxillary implant overdenture management. More implants may not produce superior results and there could be economic and surgical benefits for patients with a reduced number of implants to obtain predictable outcomes . Reducing the number of implants for maxillary overdentures has recently been reaffirmed as a disadvantage, preferring an approach of using four to six implants .…”

Mucosal Manifestations in the Edentulous Maxilla with Implant Supported Prostheses: Clinical Results from a Well‐Maintained Patient Cohort

“…Two recent reviews on implants in the edentulous maxilla summarized data on FDP and IOD, presenting a larger number of patients with fixed prostheses as compared to IOD . IOD studies do not exhibit a common opinion with regard to the best anchorage and fixation system or the best prosthesis design and one study confirms that in the literature inconsistent findings for maxillary IOD are more frequent as compared to mandibular ones …”

Implant and root supported overdentures - a literature review and some data on bone loss in edentulous jaws

“…Systematic reviews concluded that maxillary overdentures on 4 or more implants in a splinted construction provided high survival (> 95% for the first year) both for implants and overdenture 14,48. Long-term results regarding maxillary implant overdentures are still rare and when available often inconsistent 49. However, following the recommendation to use 4 or more implants splinted with a bar system a maxillary overdenture can be a successful treatment option (Fig.…”