Implant-supported mandibular overdenture retained with magnetic attachments

Yohsuke Taira, DDS, PhD (1), Michino Sakihara, DDS (2), Kohji Kamada, DDS, PhD (3), and Takashi Sawase, DDS, PhD (2)

(1) Division of Cariology and Restorative Dentistry, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, (2) Department of Applied Prosthodontics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, and (3) Department of General Dentistry, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan



The present report consists of the long-term clinical course of an implant-supported overdenture retained with magnetic attachments in the edentulous mandible of a patient with a smoking history. A 60-year-old man was referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of a mobile mandibular denture. The patient was completely edentulous and exhibited resorbed alveolar ridges. Four osseointegrated implants were placed in the anterior mandible between the mental foramina. Following implant surgery, magnetic attachments were placed on each implant and a temporary denture was applied immediately. However, two of the four implants did not achieve osseointegration; these were removed and replaced after complete healing. The final superstructure was designed to include four magnetic attachments supported by four implants for retention of the overdenture. Eight years after placement, no adverse changes were observed in the implant bodies, superstructures, or peri-implant tissues. This was attributed to the cessation of smoking by the patient; adequate maintenance, including plaque control; and durability of the magnetic attachments. This case also suggests that immediate loading of isolated implants should be avoided in the presence of risk factors such as smoking.
(Asian Pac J Dent 2018; 18: 15-20.)
Key Words: implant overdenture, magnetic attachment, smoking