Mona Aboelnagga
The increase in the number of old people will translate into an increase in special care and attention to maintain a reasonable quality of life to face the disability in this group. The loss of teeth in elderly patients not only impairs the stomatognathic system but also their psychological status and quality of life. Tooth loss has a direct influence on reduced masticatory function and may lead to a shift towards a poorly balanced diet. Upper and lower complete dentures were constructed in the usual manner for two completely edentulous patients 60 and 68 years old. Treatment plan was put to rehabilitate them by mini-implant retained complete overdenture. Patients were properly examined clinically to detect any abnormalities in ridge, mucosa or temporomandibular joint and a diagnostic panorama was taken using his lower denture marked with gutta-percha as radiographic stent, where four mini dental implants have been inserted in the lower ridge in the symphyseal area. The two patients were recalled after implant insertion; to pick up the metal housings with rubber O-rings were placed and accurately fitted to the ball parts of mini implants. Changes in the crestal bone height around the mini-implants was radiographically evaluated using digital panoramic radiographic evaluation at the time of denture insertion, 6 months and 12 months after denture insertion. The results of the two reported cases showed that mini-implant retained mandibular overdenture could be considered a reliable and promising treatment modality for completely edentulous elder patients.
