Bone height changes around hybrid implants in three implant retained mandibular Overdentures

Objective: The purpose of this RCL was to evaluate bone height changes around hybrid implants in three implant- retained mandibular overdenture with locator attachment.
Materials & Methods: Ten completely edentulous male patients were enrolled in this study. Preoperative Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) had been made to evaluate bone height & density in areas for implant installation. Patients had received three hybrid implants installed in midline & mandibular canine areas following flapless technique. Implants were early loaded; two weeks after implant installation. Overdentures were functionally fitted onto the locator attachment of the hybrid implants by direct pick-up technique.
Evaluation: Bone height changes were evaluated with the aid of CBCT at the time of implants’ loading, six months and twelve months later. Mesial & distal crestal bone heights were calculated from reconstructed corrected sagittal views.
Results: The results had revealed that there was no significant difference in peri-implant bone level throughout the follow-up periods on comparing the three implant sites. However, there was slightly higher bone resorption around the distal implants than the midline ones.
Conclusions Three implant retained overdentures with locator attachments may preserve peri-implant bone in the anterior mandibular area. Midline implant in three implant overdentures may not be subjected to more stresses than the two distal implants