Comparison of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Wearing Mandibular Overdentures with One or Two Implants and Immediate Loading Protocols

Abstract

Background: Mandibular overdentures supported by dental implants are one of the treatment options available to edentulous patients. It has been demonstrated that these dentures greatly enhance patients' oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). They are now widely acknowledged as a successful treatment option. However, there is ongoing debate over the ideal number of implants to use in order to get the best outcomes. The goal of this study was to examine the overall health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients who had mandibular overdentures supported by one or two implants using immediate loading protocols.
Methods: Using a random number generator, 20 edentulous patients were split into two groups, each of which received a mandibular overdenture supported by one implant. Group B (n=10) received a mandibular overdenture supported by two implants. In both of the groups, immediate loading protocols were used. A validated questionnaire, such as the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), was used to assess OHRQoL. The functional limitations, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical, psychological, social, and handicap are all measured by this questionnaire. The OHIP-14 scores were noted both at the start of the study and six months after the use of dentures.
Results:The results showed that both groups' mean OHIP-14 scores significantly increased after using dentures for a period of six months (p 0.001). Group B (two-implant overdentures) fared better than Group A (single-implant overdentures) in terms of overall health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Group A experienced an average decrease in OHIP-14 scores of 25.4 when compared to Group B, while Group B experienced an average decrease of 32.7. Patients with two-implant overdentures had better overall health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), according to statistically significant differences in OHRQoL outcomes between the two groups (p = 0.026).
Conclusion: After receiving mandibular overdentures supported by either a single implant or two implants and an immediate loading protocol, edentulous patients experienced a significant improvement in their OHRQoL. However, compared to single implants, the use of two implants had a more positive outcome and significantly improved OHRQoL. This was discovered to be true. These results underline how important it is to take into account a two-implant strategy for the treatment of mandibular overdenture, which provides patients with increased functional and psychosocial advantages.
Key words: oral health, overdenture, implants