Treatment needs of overdenture patients in a longitudinal study: five-year results.

This study evaluated the treatment needs of 44 overdenture patients who had worn their dentures for at least 5 years. There were 135 abutment teeth involved, 35 in the maxillae and 100 in the mandible. Recall rates varied from a low of 27.6% to a high of 73.7%. The attrition rate was 20.5% after 5 years. The caries rate varied from a low of 2.7% to a high of 20.6%, and periodontal treatment was required by 94% of the subjects after 5 years. Only 39.4% of the subjects required adjustments, repairs, relines, or remakes of their overdentures during this time. The study showed that the success of overdentures depended on maintaining oral hygiene at an adequate level and at least yearly recalls to maintain gingival health.