Implant-supported overdenture therapy: a 3- to 8-year prospective study.

Inflammatory changes in periimplant soft tissues and loss of alveolar bone can develop as in periodontal diseases. This clinical phenomena has been described as periimplantitis. Microorganisms such as Gram-negative anaerobic rods, spirochetes, and bacteroides that are seen in subgingival flora in periodontitis have also been found in sulcular microflora in periimplantitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate periimplant tissue changes in totally edentulous patients who had implant-supported overdentures for 3 to 8 years (5-5.5 years) clinically from both a subjective and an objective point of view. The clinical parameters used in this study can be helpful in the evaluation of periimplant tissue health.