EVALUATION OF RETENTION, MASTICATORY EFFICIENCY, AND SATISFACTION IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS USING SINGLE-IMPLANT MANDIBULAR OVERDENTURES: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background: Complete mandibular dentures often lack sufficient retention and stability, especially in elderly patients with resorbed ridges, affecting their masticatory function and overall satisfaction. Single-implant mandibular overdentures have emerged as a cost-effective alternative to improve prosthetic performance in geriatric edentulous patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a single midline mandibular implant on retention, chewing efficiency, and patient satisfaction. Materials and methods This prospective clinical study included 30 completely edentulous patients aged ≥60 years. A single titanium implant was placed at the mandibular midline, followed by prosthesis delivery after a 3-month healing period. A ball attachment was used to retain the overdenture. Outcomes measured at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months post-insertion included prosthesis retention (via force gauge), masticatory efficiency (using color mixing index from a two-color chewing gum test), and patient satisfaction (assessed using a Visual Analog Scale across 5 domains). Data were analyzed using SPSS v25.0; p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Implant-retained overdentures demonstrated significant improvements in all outcome parameters. Mean retention increased from 4.1 ± 0.8 N to 12.4 ± 1.1 N at 3 months (p<0.001). The mean color mixing index improved from 41.3 to 68.2 (p<0.001), indicating enhanced masticatory function. VAS scores for satisfaction increased significantly across all domains, with overall satisfaction improving from 4.3 to 8.3. No implant failures or major complications were reported. Conclusion: Single-implant mandibular overdentures provide a significant enhancement in retention, chewing efficiency, and quality of life for geriatric patients. This minimally invasive and economically feasible approach can serve as a practical solution for elderly edentulous populations with functional or financial limitations.