Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of complete edentulism and associated factors among patients visiting prosthodontics department clinic of School of dentistry Sulaimani University, in order to plan for future oral health care provisions for the society, collecting epidemiological data on oral health particularly related to prosthodontics and its related issues. Materials and Methods: The samples comprised 280 completely edentulous patients, who attended University of Sulaimani School of dentistry prosthodontics department clinic, patients questioner filled out which covered their age, gender, reasons for edentulousness, medical history, and presence of previous denture and the reason of not using it. The patients were divided in to four age groups; Group I (40-49) years, Group II (50-59) years, Group III (60-69) years, and Group IV 70 years and above. The relationship between the variables were investigated then evaluated. Results: The results showed that 155 (55.4%) of the patients were males and 125 (44.6%) of the patients were females. The majority of the patients were from age group III (60-69) years, while minority of the patient were from age Group I (40-49). Tooth decay was the major cause of edentulousness (75.4%), while periodontitis constitutes only (24.65) of the cases. Among the total number of participants only (35%) of them were have systemic problems, 61.2% suffered from hypertension, 29.6% were diabetic, and only 9.2% of the patients have cardiovascular problem. Finally, the results revealed that from 280 patients 164 (58.6 %) have previous dentures, poor retention (48.2%), fracture (31.7), tooth wear (12.2%), discomfort (4.2%), and stability (3.7%); were the reason of not using these dentures. Conclusions: An effective relationship between age, gender, tooth decay, periodontal disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease with edentulism is present.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different positions of two dental implants with polyether ether ketone (PEEK) telescopic attachment on the Retention of palateless maxillary overdenture.           Methods: Three edentulous maxillary models were fabricated from cold-cure polymethyl methacrylate resin. Each Model has received two implants as follows: Model 1 (one in each canine region), Model 2 (in right canine and left first premolar area), and Model 3 (in right canine and left second premolar area). One Palateless maxillary denture was constructed over each Model. Ready-made PEEK telescope attachments corresponding to implant abutments were embedded in the inner surface of these overdentures. Initial anterior, posterior, and central retention values of overdentures were estimated and compared with the Retention after 540 cycles of insertion and removal using a digital force gauge.       Results: The highest initial anterior retention value was recorded with Model 1, followed by Model 2 and then Model 3 (8.080, 7.460, and 6.980 N), respectively. On the other hand, the highest posterior and central retention values were recorded for Model 3 (11.060 and 10.680 N), and the lowest value was with Model 1 (9.18 and 9.660 N). The highest loss of secondary retention value was recorded with central retention value (24%), then anterior retention value (19%), and the lowest was recorded with posterior retention value (13%).   Conclusions: The implant location and distribution affect the retention value of palateless maxillary overdenture. Continuous insertion and removal of the prosthesis for daily hygiene practice lead to decreases in the retention values.

Implant placement in severely atrophic jaws is especially challenging because of the poor quality and quantity of the future implant bed. Although various bone augmentation procedure like ridge augmentation, sinus lift these procedures are possible today but it may lead to surgical morbidity they increase the risks and costs of dental implant treatment as well as the number of necessary operations. Also sometimes the patient is not agreeing for such extensive surgical procedures, according to the well-known implantological rules for dental restorations, crestal implants are indicated in situations when an adequate vertical bone supply is given but single piece dental implant (basal implants) is a viable treatment option derives support from the basal bone area which usually remains free from the infection and less prone to resorption.