A controlled clinical trial of implant-retained mandibular overdentures: 10 years' results of clinical aspects and aftercare of IMZ implants and Branemark implants

The aim of this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and prosthetic aftercare of edentulous patients with a mandibular overdenture retained by two IMZ implants or two Branemark implants during a 10-year period. Patients were allocated to the IMZ group (n=29) or the Branemark group (n=32) by a computerized balancing method. In the IMZ group, four implants were lost during the 10-year follow-up (survival rate: 93%). In the Branemark group, nine implants were lost (survival rate: 86%). All patients were re-operated successfully. Multiple prosthetic revisions were necessary in both groups; especially the precision attachment system in the overdenture (23% of the total number of revisions) and the denture base and teeth (26% of the total number of revisions) were subject to frequent fracture. From this study, it can be concluded that both the IMZ implant and the Branemark implant systems supporting an overdenture are functioning well after 10 years of follow-up. There are no indications of a worsening of clinical or radiographical state after 10 years.