Clinical Evaluation of Overdenture Using Magnet Retention Literature Review

Abstract

Overdenture is an alternative solution for removable prosthodontics treatment due to the fact that periodontics and endodontics can provide a promising outcome. Moreover, most patients tend to be more motivated in keeping the teeth and/or the remnants, such as the roots, that are still left over inside the mouth. Keeping the natural tooth roots for overdenture construction purpose is basically to keep the proprioceptor existence; to improve the support, retention and stability of the prosthesis. An effort to improve the overdenture retention can be done by applying magnet onto the denture base, and placing a soft magnetic keeper on the tooth root surface. Samarium-cobalt and neodymium-iron-boron magnets are used because of their small compact sizes. They are enclosed in a metal casing. If this is breached then the materials rapidly corrode in contact with saliva. A safety testing shows that the static magnetic field does not appear to produce any biological effects although the alloy themselves may be cytotoxic. The desire to use magnetic retention is related to the simplicity of the clinical and laboratory procedure. However, the long term durability of the magnet remains a problem. Further researches are required in the following areas: the biological compatibility, the corrosion resistance, and the wear of steel casing. Such research will hopefully provide a permanent magnet, which will be resistant to the adverse environment of the oral cavity and allow the potential of overdentures, retained with magnets, to be realized.