Treatment Effect on Social Engagement with Mandibular Implant Overdenture Therapy

The purpose of this research study was to investigate if patients with conventional mandibular dentures became more socially engaged following mandibular two-implant overdenture therapy, to determine if gender differences exist regarding treatment effect on social engagement with mandibular two-implant overdenture therapy, and to investigate patient satisfaction post-treatment. Edentulous patients had conventional maxillary and mandibular complete dentures fabricated at the UIC COD. After a minimum of four months of function, the patients underwent two-stage mandibular implant overdenture therapy. Two interforaminal implants were placed, and after a minimum of three months healing time, the two osseointegrated mandibular implants were uncovered and healing abutments were inserted. A minimum of two weeks later, the mandibular denture was converted chair-side into a two implant-retained mandibular overdenture with resilient attachments. Information on demographics was obtained and patients completed both pre- and post-treatment questionnaires on social engagement after functioning with each prosthesis for a minimum for four months. In addition, post-treatment semantic differential scales and modified version of Oral Health Impact Profile-14 were completed. Twenty-seven patients, 14 men and 13 women, with a mean age of 62 years (SD±12), participated in the study. Statistical software (SPSS v.20, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for descriptive and statistical analyses. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests resulted in significant differences (p<0.05) for the overall sample for “went on trips” (p=0.04); “visited” (p=0.03); and “engaged in leisure phone conversations” (p=0.02). Significant differences were noted for women on “did housework” (p=0.046); “smiled fully in social situations” (p=0.02); and “laughed fully in social situations” (p=0.02). For men, a significant difference was found for “went on trips” (p=0.03). Significant differences were found for participants <60 years of age for “smiled fully in social situations” (p=0.03) and “laughed fully in social situations” (p=0.02). Significant differences were found for participants >60 years of age for “engaged in leisure phone conversations with family” (p=0.05), “went to restaurants” (p=0.02) and “engaged in leisure phone conversations” (p=0.05). The overall median post-treatment semantic scale was nine, signifying a high level of post-treatment satisfaction and the overall median post treatment OHIP-14 was zero suggesting there was no interference by oral health with quality of life. The results are consistent with a small treatment effect on social engagement due to implant-supported mandibular overdenture treatment. There may be differences related to gender and age. Patients had a high level of satisfaction with treatment based on semantic differential scales and modified OHIP-14. Continuation of the current research study to obtain a larger sample size is recommended to further evaluate the treatment effect on social engagement with mandibular implant overdenture therapy.