Abstract: Objective To compare the clinical effects of locator attachment and ball-cap attachment on implant-supported overdentures. Methods 27 cases of mandibular edentulous were collected for 54 implants, which included 26 ball attachments and 28 locator attachments. All of the patients were followed up for further evaluation after 6 months’ functional loading and continued yearly. Both the incidence rate of prosthetic complications (including overdentures, implant failures, attachment fractures) and the score of patient satisfaction will be recorded for statistical analysis during our reexamination. Results The satisfaction of patients with an overdenture supported by attachments has significantly improved(P<0.05), compared to the complete denture. There was no significant difference in the bone loss between patients with different attachments (P>0.05), but the complication rate in the group treated with locator attachment was 14.28%, while in the ball attachment group it reached 38.46%. Conclusion Overdenture supported by locator attachment or ball attachment is more satisfying than the previous complete denture. Furthermore, with regard to the rate of prosthodontic complications, the clinical results of locator attachment was superior to the ball attachment.

Key words: locator attachment , ball attachment , overdenture , implant