Four locator attachments of mandibular implant‐retained overdentures with two different distributions: A 10‐year retrospective preliminary study of residual alveolar ridge changes

Objectives There is little information on the long‐term function of the four Locator attachment of the mandibular implant retained overdenture (OD), particularly with different distributions. Purpose To compare the effect of different four inter‐foraminal implant distributions retaining a mandibular OD after 10 years of function on posterior mandibular ridge resorption (PMandRR), anterior maxillary ridge resorption (AMaxRR), and the amount of marginal bone loss (MBL) around all four implants. Materials and Methods Twenty‐two participants with total edentulism who had worn mandibular OVDs retained by four inter‐foraminal implants for 10 years of functional life were selected for this study. They were divided into two groups based on implant distribution: Group I with a quadrilateral distribution (QD) of implants and Group II with a linear distribution (LD) of implants. PMandRR, AMaxRR, and MBL around implants were measured. Results After 10 years of function, PMandRR was significantly higher in the LD group than in the QD group (p