Use of new magnetic attachments for implant-supported overdentures.

A newly designed magnetic attachment system for external hexed implants with a standard abutment platform has been developed. This system has certain definite advantages over bar attachments and ball attachments, which are frequently utilized for implant-supported overdentures. Especially, it can be applied to cases with reduced vertical dimension of occlusion because the total height of the magnet and the keeper is only 2.3 mm when assembled. In addition, detrimental lateral stresses to the fixture are greatly alleviated due to very low attractive forces horizontally. Favorable clinical results using this new magnetic attachment system have been obtained, and it may be considered a useful addition to overdenture therapy using any external hexel implant with a standard abutment platform, such as the Brånemark implant system.