Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Satisfactory clinical effect has been already acquired to strengthen the retention of lower mandible complete denture, removable partial denture and prosthetic appliance utilizing the attraction force of magnet.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the researches about the retention of magnetic attachment in the removable partial denture and complete overdenture.
METHODS: A computer search was performed in Medline database (1996-01/2010-01) using key words of “magnetic episomal agent, retention, complete denture, removable partial denture and overdenture” in English, and in CNKI database and Wanfang database (1996-01/2010-01) using key words of “magnetic attachment, retention, complete denture, removable partial denture and overdenture” in Chinese.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There are 175 literatures about the retention of magnetic attachment, 72 Chinese literatures and 103 English literatures. Too old, repeated and similar studies were excluded, 33 literatures are included fitting the criteria. The magnetic attachment can significantly increase the retention of the lower mandible complete overdenture and removable partial denture. It is therefore required to understand the influence of the distal alveolar bone absorption on the retention and function of the magnetic attachment overdenture, as well as the meliorative effect on partial buffering. Many scholars have modified the materials and structure of magnetic attachment, so as to enhance the retention. Further studies are needed to further determine the retention and function of the magnetic attachment.