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Yoshinobu Maeda
Osaka University School of Dentistry

Magnetic attachment or others?
Criteria of attachment selection for implant overdentures

As for retaining elements for implant overdentures, various commercially available attachments have been utilized, such as stud type, anchor type, bar type as well as magnetic attachments. In order to select most suitable one for a given clinical situation, we have to understand their functional characteristics such as the lateral force dissipating capability to supporting bone as well as size and retention. Also the allowance of the attachment in dislodgement angle against the implant long axis should be considered because some implants are installed with divergence angles if we can utilize more than two implants as abutments. Objectives of this presentation are to compare the above-mentioned characteristic among different types of attachments and to propose a guideline for the attachment selection for implant overdentures.

 

Lateral forces exerted on implant overdenture abutments
Comparison between magnetic attachments
and anchor type attachments
Since lateral forces have more destructive effect on osseointegration, the amount of lateral forces exerted on implants through attachments under overdenture configuration is critical. In order to select most suitable attachments for a given clinical situation, we need to know mechanical characteristics of each attachment with questioning “How large are lateral forces? How can we minimize lateral forces? ” We have been conducted series of studies for answering above mentioned questions. According to our experimental and clinical studies, following results were obtained.
● The lateral force dissipating capability is different among different types of attachments; Magnet ( Flat type, Dome type Self-adjusting type, stud attachment ( ball attachment ), anchor type attachment ( Locator )).
● The largest lateral force was measured with the stud type attachment ( Locator ) while the smallest force was with the self-adjusting type magnetic attachment.
● Significantly large llateral forces were observed with the anchor type attachments than magnets when implants are installed with different angle.