Effect of bar cross-section and female housing material on retention of mandibular implant bar overdentures: A comparative in vitro study

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different cross-sections of bar connecting two implants on the retention of mandibular overdentures with Hader clip or lined with heat-cured resilient liner as a housing material. The retentive values after simulated 1.5 years of service were also recorded. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Edentulous mandibular acrylic model was constructed with two dummy implants located in the canine region and connected with cast bar assembly. According to bar cross-section and anchoring method, four groups (n = 10) of identical overdentures were used as Hader bar/clip group (HCG), Hader bar/silicone liner female housing group (HSG), oval bar/silicone liner female housing group (OSG), and round bar/silicone liner female housing group (RSG). Each overdenture sample was subjected to simulated wear up to 2740 manual insertions/separations. The mean retentive forces were measured at the baseline and after every 500 insertions. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The present study demonstrated that all bar cross-sections showed a significant difference at the baseline (P < 0.05), but HSG showed greater initial retention compared to HCG, OSG, and RSG. OSG showed a significant higher retention after 2740 insertions (simulated five insertions/day). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of this in vitro study and for a similar period of service, heat-cured silicone female housing for Hader bar could maintain greater retention for two-implant-retained overdentures than provided by conventional plastic clip after 1.5 year. The oval bar recorded reasonable initial retention values and maintained these values for 1.5 years of service.