Locator® versus ceramic/electroplated double-crown attachments: a prospective study on the intraindividual comparison of implant-supported mandibular prostheses.

OBJECTIVES: Implant-supported overdentures are an established dental treatment mode. The aim of this prospective study was and interindividual comparison of patient satisfaction with restorations retained by a prefabricated and thus inexpensive attachment system (Locator®) or with a technologically complex and thus expensive attachment system (ceramic/electroplated double crowns) with similar retentive performance.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients received a Locator and a double-crown prosthesis in a crossover study for test periods of 3 months each. The main target parameter was the patient's final decision in favor of one of the two prosthesis types.
RESULTS: After completing both test phases, seven patients opted for the Locator prosthesis and five patients opted for the double-crown prosthesis.
CONCLUSION: Given the predominant lack of statistically significant differences, the two types of prostheses can be described as equivalent. A recommendation in favor of the Locator prosthesis can be motivated by its lower cost. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of the study show that the more cost-effective variant was comparable to the more expensive double-crown prosthesis under the conditions prevailing in the study. Depending on the indication, this may influence the decision-making process in daily clinical practice and support the clinician's patient information and consultation efforts.