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Bar versus ball attachments for implant‐supported overdentures in complete edentulism: A systematic review
Author(s) -
Anas ElWegoud Marwah,
Fayyad Ahmed,
Kaddah Amal,
Nabhan Ashraf
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
clinical implant dentistry and related research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.338
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1708-8208
pISSN - 1523-0899
DOI - 10.1111/cid.12551
Subject(s) - edentulism , medicine , dentistry , implant , prosthesis , dental prosthesis , meta analysis , randomized controlled trial , confidence interval , patient satisfaction , oral health , orthodontics , surgery
Background Implant‐supported overdenture is one of the most predictable treatment options used in complete edentulism. However, differences have been reported between bar and ball attachments used to retain overdentures in terms of patient satisfaction and prosthesis retention. Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of bar and ball attachments for conventionally loaded implant‐supported overdentures in completely edentulous patients to improve patient satisfaction and prosthesis retention. Materials and methods We conducted the review according to the Cochrane methods and following MECIR standards. We searched Cochrane Oral Health Group Trial register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and the WHO ICTRP (March 31, 2017). Two review authors assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data, and checked for accuracy. We have expressed results as risk ratio or mean differences, together with their 95% confidence intervals. Results We included 10 trials (465 participants). After 5 y, one trial reported higher patient satisfaction when bar attachment was used (MD 1.30, 95% CI 0.20–2.40), and reported no difference between both systems in prosthesis retention (MD −0.90, 95% CI −1.90 to 0.10). Two trials reported no implant failures after 1 and 5 y in both attachments. Downgrading of evidence was based on the unclear risk of bias of included studies and the wide CI crossing the line of no effect. Conclusions There is insufficient evidence to support bar or ball attachment to be used with implant‐supported overdentures in completely edentulous patients to improve patient satisfaction and prosthesis retention (PROSPERO 2014:CRD42014014594).