Branemark
dental implants with ball attachments supporting overdentures
were used as alternative treatment to combined lingual-vestibuloplasty
with free split-thickness skin graft and removable dentures
in 25 consecutive patients with mandibular alveolar ridge
atrophy. Ninety-three fixtures were placed. Ball attachments
were mounted on the fixtures, and implant-supported overdentures
were inserted 3 to 4 months after fixture placement. The
observation period after implant activation prostheses
insertion varied from 12 to 27 months with a median observation
period of 18 months. The overall success rate of individual
implants was 97% (90/93). The prosthesis function rate
was 100% (25/25). The 1-year success rate of individual
implants was 98% (91/93) with a prosthesis function rate
of 100% (25/25). No persistentsurgical or prosthodontic
complications were observed. Preliminary results indicate
that osseoitegrated Branemark dental implants with ball
attachments supporting overdentures can be a successful
alternative to combined lingua-vestibuloplasty with free
split-thickness skin graft and removal dentures in patients
with denture problems related to mandibular alveolar ridge
atrophy.