PERSPECTIVES IN IMPLANT-RETAINED OVERDENTURES

The goal of this article is to describe the evolution and the progress made in the field of implant-retained overdentures. Present research and development initiatives are primarily oriented in two directions: immediate or early loading, and ways to reduce the frequency of reinterventions. A critical analysis of the literature based on the principles of « evidence-based dentistry » was performed concerning early and immediate loading protocols. The conclusions and recommendations for these techniques that emerged from this analysis are described. It appears that these techniques are reliable and promising but that other clinical studies are necessary to ascertain the predictability of early or immediate loading. As far as maintenance is concerned, making an implant-retained overdenture with a connecting system which allows axial and angular resilience should be favored, in order to improve the longevity of the denture.