Previously, the choice of prosthetic implant-retained overdentures has depended on data from previous studies about the retention-fatigue strength of the attachment system selected. Little or no data have been available on the correlation between the attachment system selected and the overdenture support configuration. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the retention force and fatigue resistance of three attachment systems and four support designs of overdenture prosthesis. Four lower edentulous acrylic models were prepared and eight combinations of attachments groups were investigated in the study. These included: O-Rings with mini-dental implants (MDIs), Dalbo elliptic with Dalbo Rotex and fabricated flexible acrylic attachments with both MDI and Dalbo Rotex. The study was divided into four test groups: groups A and B, controls, and groups C and D, experimental groups. Control group A contained three overdenture supports: two free standing MDIs in the canine region and at the midline, and one simulated tooth root with Dalbo Rotex screwed in. Control group B contained four overdenture support foundations: two free standing MDIs in the right canine region and the first premolar region, and two simulated tooth roots with Dalbo Rotex screwed in at the same MDI position, but on the left side of the model. Experimental group C contained three overdenture support foundations: two free standing MDIs in the canine region and at the midline, and one simulated tooth root with MDI screwed in. Experimental group D contained four overdenture support foundations: two free standing MDIs in the right canine region and the first premolar region, and two simulated tooth roots with MDIs screwed in at the same MDI position, but on the left side of the model. Each group was further divided into two subgroups according to attachment type used. Five samples were prepared for each group. Retention force (N) values were recorded initially (0 cycles) and after 360, 720, 1440 and 2880 insertion and removal cycles. During the tensile test a cross-head speed of 10 mm/min was applied. Values of absolute force (AF) and relative force (RF) were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and multiple comparison Tukey's tests between groups and cycles periods. The results of fatigue tests showed a 50% reduction in retention force in the subgroups with flexible attachments. A triangular design of overdenture support foundations with O-Ring attachments revealed the lowest value of AF and a relatively high reduction in RF. The four overdenture support designs with flexible acrylic attachments improved the retention force and reduced the fatigue retention. Furthermore, the results of the investigation demonstrate that flexible acrylic attachments for both teeth and implant-supported overdentures offer a wide range of retention forces.

Overdenture as a treatment modality for both partially and fully edentulous patients is costeffective and less expensive.The purpose of the present study was to examine the newly fabricated attachments by comparing them with conventional O-ring attachment in vitro in terms of retention force and cyclic aging resistance.A total of 150 samples were prepared and divided into five groups according to the materials used (O-ring attachment,Deflex M10 XR,Deflex Classic SR,Deflex Acrilato FD,and flexible acrylic resin).The retention force of different attachments was measured by a mini dental implant after three subsequent aging (0,63,and 126) cycles in the circumstances similar to the oral environment.The gap space between the head of the implant and the inner surface of the attachments was detected.Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis with multiple comparisons test was applied for statistical analysis.The results showed that Deflex M10 XR had the highest retention force and the lowest gap space after cyclic aging;in addition,by comparing the relative force reduction,the lowest values were obtained in the O-ring attachment and the highest values in the flexible acrylic resin attachment.The retention force measured after cyclic aging for the Deflex M10 XR attachment was greatly improved when compared with the O-ring attachment and other types of attachment materials;in addition,the Deflex M10 XR attachment exhibited the minimum gap space between the inner surface and the mini dental implant head.In conclusion,Deflex M10 XR has the ability to withstand weathering conditions and retains its durable and retentive properties after aging when compared with other attachments.

The clinical success of dental implants can be improved by achieving optimum implant properties,such as their biomechanical and surface characteristics.Nano-structured coatings can play an important role in improving the implant surface.The purpose of the present study was to determine the most appropriate conditions for electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of nano-zirconia coatings on Ti-6Al-7Nb substrates and to evaluate the structural and biomechanical characteristics of these deposited coatings on the dental implants.EPD was used with different applied voltages and time periods to obtain a uniform layer of nano-zirconia on Ti-6Al-7Nb samples.The coated samples were weighed and the thickness of the product layer was measured.Surface analysis was performed by using optical microscopical examination,scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction phase analysis.For in vivo examination,48 screw-designed implants (24 uncoated and 24 nano-zirconia coated) were implanted in both tibiae of 12 white New Zealand rabbits and evaluated biomechanically after 4-and 12-week healing intervals.Results revealed that the use of different conditions for EPD affected the final coating film properties.Increasing the applied voltage and coating time period increased the deposited nano-zirconia film thickness and weight.By selecting the appropriate coating conditions,and analyzing scanning electron microscopical examination and XRD patterns,this technique could produce a thin and continuous nano-zirconia layer with a uniform thickness of the Ti-6Al-7Nb samples.Mechanically,the nano-zirconia-coated implants showed a highly statistically significant difference in removal torque values,while histologically these coated implants enhanced and promoted osseointegration after 4 and 12 weeks of healing,compared with the uncoated ones.In conclusion,EPD is an effective technique for providing a high quality nano-zirconia coating film on dental implant surfaces.Moreover,the osseointegration of these coated dental implants is improved compared with that of uncoated ones.

Previously,the choice of prosthetic implant-retained overdentures has depended on data from previous studies about the retention-fatigue strength of the attachment system selected.Little or no data have been available on the correlation between the attachment system selected and the overdenture support configuration.The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the retention force and fatigue resistance of three attachment systems and four support designs of overdenture prosthesis.Four lower edentulous acrylic models were prepared and eight combinations of attachments groups were investigated in the study.These included:O-Rings with mini-dental implants (MDIs),Dalbo elliptic with Dalbo Rotex and fabricated flexible acrylic attachments with both MDI and Dalbo Rotex.The study was divided into four test groups:groups A and B,controls,and groups C and D,experimental groups.Control group A contained three overdenture supports:two free standing MDIs in the canine region and at the midline,and one simulated tooth root with Dalbo Rotex screwed in.Control group B contained four overdenture support foundations:two free standing MDIs in the right canine region and the first premolar region,and two simulated tooth roots with Dalbo Rotex screwed in at the same MDI position,but on the left side of the model.Experimental group C contained three overdenture support foundations:two free standing MDIs in the canine region and at the midline,and one simulated tooth root with MDI screwed in.Experimental group D contained four overdenture support foundations:two free standing MDIs in the right canine region and the first premolar region,and two simulated tooth roots with MDIs screwed in at the same MDI position,but on the left side of the model.Each group was further divided into two subgroups according to attachment type used.Five samples were prepared for each group.Retention force (N) values were recorded initially (0 cycles) and after 360,720,1440 and 2880 insertion and removal cycles.During the tensile test a cross-head speed of 10 mm/min was applied.Values of absolute force (AF) and relative force (RF) were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and multiple comparison Tukey's tests between groups and cycles periods.The results of fatigue tests showed a 50％ reduction in retention force in the subgroups with flexible attachments.A triangular design of overdenture support foundations with O-Ring attachments revealed the lowest value of AF and a relatively high reduction in RF.The four overdenture support designs with flexible acrylic attachments improved the retention force and reduced the fatigue retention.Furthermore,the results of the investigation demonstrate that flexible acrylic attachments for both teeth and implant-supported overdentures offer a wide range of retention forces.