Comparative Study of the Retention of an OT Equator with Smart Boxes Versus Novaloc Attachment for Mandibular Implant-Assisted Overdentures (In Vitro Study)

Background: Implant-supported mandibular overdentures have many advantages over conventional complete dentures; therefore, they have become the first alternative choice for treating patients with completely edentulous ridges. One of the most important advantages of implant-supported mandibular overdentures is superior retention, which eliminates the fear of detachment during surgery. This superior retention is due to the presence of alternative well-known attachment systems that may result in lower maintenance needs and other favorable characteristics. One of the alternatives is a new type of attachment dubbed Novaloc, based on mechanical retention from a poly-ether-ether-ketone (Peek) matrix on a cylindrical patrix, which may be more resistant to wear than the nylon used in other systems. Materials & Method: This in vitro study was carried out on a mandibular completely edentulous cast with two mandibular implants in the cuspid region bilaterally. The casts were divided into 2 equal groups: (Group A) an OT Equator with Smart Box Attachment and (Group B) a Novaloc attachment. Sixteen overdentures were subjected to 540 cyclic loads. The retention of the attachments was recorded as a baseline and after 270 and 540 cycles, respectively, which is equivalent to 6 months of simulation.Results: The study revealed a significant decrease in the mean retention force in group I (Ot Equator with Smart Box) at baseline, after 270 cycles (3 months), and after 540 cycles (6 months). Conclusions: The OT-Equator with a Smart Box Attachment group had better initial retentive force than the Novaloc attachment group with a medium retentive cap.