Implant-retained Overdentures Improves Quality of Life In Diabetic Edentulous Patients

Methods:  Edentuous patients (n=117) received 2 mandibular Straumann implants with Locator attachments supporting existing complete dentures. Assessments taken at baseline (implant surgery), and 6 and 12 months following restoration included Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-20) questionnaire along with HbA1c levels, BMI, age, gender, ethnicity.  Diabetic patients were classified as well-controlled (6.0%Results: OHRQoL values were significantly (p<0.01) improved from baseline at both 6 and 12 months for all patients independent of diabetes diagnosis or glycemic status.  Comparing between these groups, no differences were seen in OHRQoL at individual time points or in changes from baseline.

Conclusion: This study documents the benefits of implant-supported mandibular overdentures for patients with type 2 diabetes. This study was supported by NIDCR (R01DE017882) with implant materials from Straumann USA.