Retention system selection criteria for overdentures

Abstract

Disconfort, lack of stability, low masticatory efficiency and speaking difficulty are some of the principal complaints of patients who use conventional complete dentures. Usually, these complaints are related to a high bone resorption that these patients can present, that limits the retention and the stability of their prosthesis when in function, creating disconfort. With the possibility of the use of osseointegration implants in the prosthetics planning, new alternatives of rehabilitation treatments were developed allowing the insertion of implants in a edentulate area. Among the treatments for edentulate patients, overdentures proportionate a significant increase of retention, stability and comfort in relation to conventional complete dentures. It is a type of treament with low cost and simplicity of confection in relation to fixed implant prosthesis that make it acessible to a higher number of patients. One of the most important aspects related to a successful result is the correct selection of the retention system for each clinical case. This paper has the objective to explain about the aspects that are involved in the selection of the most adequate system for each clinical case. Key words: Overdenture. Retention system. Implants.