Caracterização do processo de trabalho do cirurgiãodentista na estratégia de saúde da família do município de Parnamirim-RN

Family Health Strategy (FHS), founded in 1994 has appeared to play a strategic role in the SUS construction and consolidation. It has reaffirmed its Principles and Guidelines and has elected family as core of attention. The principle that has guided the work concerns the quality of the relationship between professional and family. Thus, the FHS has the family as a subject of health-disease process, and relations with its own characteristics and can be partners in building their health and improvement of quality of life of its members and the entire community. This study aims to characterize the surgeon-dentist (SD) working process in the family health strategy, from the knowledge of the SD integration with other team members; organization of services; development of shares, changes perceived by SDs, as well as knowing the surgeon-dentist profile who is part of this strategy. The collecting tool used was a semi-structured questionnaire, in which participated 30 professionals. As for profile, most professionals were women, completed the graduation in public university and did not have any training to work by joining the FHS. Almost all have other public or private working ties. They often carry out activities with students, and occasionally do home visits. In relation to team work, in activities such as home visits, school health, community activities, among others, they sometimes seek the cooperation of other members. The way of accessing for users in the most part has occurred through the schedule. The most frequently activities made to the Centro Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO), are in Endodontics and Prosthesis. The majority of them participate in team meetings, but they do not have frequency set to happen. As for the planning and programming of activities to be conducted, most said that individually develops them. Concerning the performance of their duties, most reported being satisfied, but that improvements could happen. Besides, they reported improvements in dental care following the inclusion of SD in the FHS in various aspects, such as access, organization, humanization, care and oral disease prevention. The professionals had poor integration with other team members, in addition to have a profile to more individualistic work, a fact seized by way of development and planning of actions. They work the actions in individual and curative way, in detriment promotion and collective ones. They work humanization, definition of territory and adscript population. Thus, it is concluded that the working process developed by SDs, includes the part which is advocated by FHS. This points out to a greater undertaking of this process aiming to detect the weakness met in order to reach the potential that the FHS represents in organization of basic attention

Centros de especialidades odontológicas: avaliação da atenção de média complexidade na rede pública da Grande Natal

The Specialized Dental Care Centers (CEO) were developed to provide specialized dental care to the population, given the accumulated needs of health since the past. They must operate as units of reference for the Oral Health Team of the Primary Care, complementing the dental procedures performed at this level of attention. This study aims to assess the performance of CEOs of the Grande Natal Health Region as a strategy of Secondary Care consolidation in oral health through users, dentists and managers. For this to try to identify factors about access, hosting and satisfaction with the service, the actions developed in these centers, integration between the CEOs and the Basic Health Units (UBS), considering the reference and counter reference. Data were collected through semi-structured interview, conducted in four CEOs, among 253 users, 31 dentists and 4 managers. It was submitted to descriptive statistical analysis and to content analysis by software ALCESTE 4.5. The results revealed that the specialties of prosthesis, endodontics and surgery were the most sought by 38.2%, 23.7% and 21.7% of respondents, respectively. It was noticed that among users aged 18 to 30 years-old the greatest demand is for the specialty of endodontics (44.4%) and over 50 years for prosthesis (76.4%). There is a weakness in the reference and counter reference between UBS and CEO, because part of users goes directly to the centers without going before to the Primary Care and the majority does not want to return to the dentist of Health Unit. Satisfaction with care was reported by 90.9% of users, because they resolved the problems needed and were welcomed by the team. But the delay in care was the main factor for not satisfaction. For most dentists, some users could solve their problems completely in Primary Care, which shows the existence of unnecessary referrals to the CEOs, however they consider the existence of limiting factors in UBS that compromise the service. Most dentists revealed that some users do not get to CEOs with the basic dental treatment done, and some of them do not counter reference users. It can be concluded that the studied CEOs are being resolutive for those who access them, offering necessary care for the population, and if they don t account with this service, will encounter obstacles to resolution of problems, ranging seek care service in particular, in another public sector, or even giving up treatment. However, it is perceived the need of professionals training to understand the importance of the reference and counter reference, to that they can better serve and guide users. It is also important that cities offer better conditions to UBS and CEOs, so they can work together, with complementary actions of oral health, seeking full care, aiming for better resolution to the users' health problems

Satisfação dos usuários e qualidade dos tratamentos protéticos realizados nos centros de especialidades odontológicas da grande Natal RN

Aim: To evaluate user satisfaction and quality of prosthetic treatments performed in specialized dental clinics (CEOs) of Natal Metropolitan Region - RN. Methods: Cross-sectional study with subjects who underwent prosthetic CEOs in the cities of Natal, Macaíba, Parnamirim and Sao Goncalo do Amarante in the period 2007 to 2009. Data collection was performed by questionnaire, clinical examination of the oral cavity and examination of fabricated denture. This analysis involved the following aspects: retention, stability, aesthetics and prosthesis fixation. The variables are presented by means of absolute numbers and proportions. The determination of the association between the independent and dependent variables was conducted by the association of Chi-square test and Fisher exact test. Results: A total of 149 users, totaling 233 conventional dentures (148 upper and 85 lower). Most patients (56.4%) were rehabilitated with conventional complete dentures. The technical quality of the denture was regarded as satisfactory in the majority (52.7%), whereas the inferior dentures were rated as unsatisfactory in 90.5% of cases. Satisfaction with the prosthesis was 69.1% (N = 103). The average time to begin treatment was 3 months to receive while the prosthesis was 4 months old. The presence of injury from the upper prosthesis occurred in 21.5% of cases (N = 32), candidiasis being the most frequent (N = 18). The technical quality of the upper prosthesis (p=0,041), as well as retention (p=0,002) and stability (p<0,001) were significantly associated with user satisfaction. Conclusions: The specialized Dental clinics has been fulfilling its role of providing treatment of intermediate complexity for low-income population with the majority of satisfield patients, even when their dentures have problems of technical quality

Condições de saúde bucal e capacidade funcional em idosos

Population aging is one of the greatest challenges to contemporary public health and, in this perspective, the functional capacity emerges as an important feature in geriatric assessment. The oral health of elderly, in turn, deserves special attention because, historically, in the dental services, this population group was not considered a priority for attention, which is verified by high rates of edentulism found even among these individuals. The present study proposes to examine the relationship between oral health status and functional capacity in an elderly population. To this end, intra-oral epidemiological examination was performed to assess the degree of dental caries, periodontal status, use and need of prosthesis and the presence of lesions. Functional capacity was assessed by the Independence in Activities of Daily Living, which considers the independence or not in the performance of six self-care functions. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and general health status were also investigated, in view of the possibility of intervention of these variables in the investigated relation. An factor analysis of the principal components was conducted which resulted four indicators of oral health conditions, representative of the population studied. 441 seniors were enrolled with mean age of 71.7 (± 8.7) years, the majority being female (68%). Functional capacity was dichotomized into completely independent individuals (89.6%) and dependent on at least one of the functions considered (10.4%). There was an association between functional capacity and the indicators related to the presence of many teeth and dental caries, and to that associated with the use and need of prostheses. These associations in turn, lost statistical significance when adjusting for confounding variables, combined in separate models for each indicator. Some of these variables, however, remained associated with functional capacity. It is considered that the study of oral health status of elderly, associeted with the search for an association with functional capacity is important in the construction of indicators necessary for planning preventive and therapeutic interventions that reduce the risk for loss of ability in daily physical functions and their consequences, as the harm in the oral self-care

Qualidade de vida, eficiência mastigatória e presença de disfunção temporomandibular em usuários de prótese parcial removível com arco dental curto inferior

Even nowadays there is in Brasil a large number of edentulous and a precarious financial condition of most of the population. In addition, World Health Organization aims for oral health, which consists on the maintenance of a natural dentition, functional and aesthetic composed of at least 20 teeth, without need of prosthetic intervention throughout life. From this and considering the lack of researches about the permanence of edentulous spaces in the oral cavity, and also avoiding overtreatment, this research has been proposed. Thus, the aim was to evaluate the effect of different lengths of the shortened lower dental arch in the presence or absence of a removable partial denture (RPD) on masticatory function, quality of life and occurrence of temporomandibular dysfunction. To achieve this goal, we compared the masticatory efficiency (colorimetric test), the oral comfort through the analysis of the impact of oral health in quality of life (OHIP-14), the presence of temporomandibular dysfunction (RDC/TMD) and the general quality of life (WHOQOL) of patients with shortened dental arches (SDA) (n=60), which is an arch with a reduction of teeth starting posteriorly, and patients with complete dental arch (Complete DA) (n = 34). The group of patients whit SDA was divided among PPR wears (PPD + SDA) (n = 17) and non-wears (n = 43). The population of this study consisted on patients who received or looked for treatment at the clinics of the Department of Dentistry of UFRN, from clinical analysis and records. The sample was chosen by convenience. For statistical analysis, it was a database in SPSS 17.0, followed by descriptive analysis with frequencies, absolute values, tests of central tendency and variability. The statistical tests used were chi-squared and analysis of variance as well as Tukey s post test, when applicable, all with a 95% confidence level. The results shown a prevalence of TMD of 47,1% among patients using PRP and 69,8% among those who didn t, but this result wasn t statistically significant. The mean of the results of masticatory efficiency, WHOQOL and OHIP didn t show association to the presence or absence of PPR and to the lower number of occlusal units of the patients (0, 1, 2 or more occlusal). The association only occurred among the different groups of SDA and the patients with complete dental arch. Taking into account the results, it could be observed that studied patients with low posterior support using lower PRP didn t have better masticatory efficiency, general quality of life, less impacts of their oral conditions in quality of life or not even less temporomandibular dysfunction or better masticatory efficiency when compared to those who didn t use the prosthesis

Avaliação clínica longitudinal do periodonto de dentes pilares e não pilares de próteses parciais removíveis

The literature has shown a relation between periodontics and the removable partial denture (RPD), with progressive destruction observed in the support structures. The aim of this study was to clinically assess periodontal condition in users of removal partial denture (RPD), and compare right abutments teeth, indirect abutments and controls before installation and after 1 year, in addition to comparing tooth-supported and tooth mucosa-supported abutments. A total of 50 patients, 32 women and 18 men, mean age of 45 years, took part in the study. The patients were examined by a single examiner at prosthesis installation and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The following were verified at each examination: Probe Depth (PD), Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), the amount of Keratinized Mucosa (KM), Gingival Recession (GR) and Dental Mobility (DM); in addition patients received oral hygiene orientation, accompanied by prophylaxis, periodontal scaling and root planing (PSRP), when necessary. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Tukey-Kramer post test was used to assess the dependent variables (PD, PI, KM, GR) of the three groups over time while Friedman s test was used for GI. To assess the outcomes of prosthesis type in the right abutment group, a confidence interval-based analysis was performed. The results showed that the control group was the least compromised in all the variables studied. With respect to development of the groups over time, it was verified that the measures for GR, PD, GI and KM increased from initial examination to 1 year of use in all the groups, but only PI showed a significant increase. There was a non-discriminatory low prevalence of dental mobility. The tooth mucosa-supported prosthesis had significantly higher values for GR, GI and PI and significantly lower ones for KM when compared to tooth-supported. Over time, both types of prostheses showed no significant differences from initial to final examination for the variables GR, PD, KM and GI, with PI significant only for tooth-supported. The results showed that the teeth most involved in RPD design had greater potential of periodontal damage, probably because of greater dental biofilm accumulation. Abutments elements adjacent to the free extremities had less favorable periodontal condition than those adjacent to interpolated spaces, but the use of RPD did not worsen the initial condition

Imunoexpressão das claudinas -1 e -7 em ameloblastomas e germes dentais humanos

We investigated the immunohistochemistry expression of claudins -1 and -7 in ameloblastoma and in human dental germs on the pattern of distribution (focal, regional or diffuse), the cells that expressed (if central or peripheral) and the location of that expression in the cell components recital membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. Among the 29 cases of ameloblastoma, 24 were type solid and 6 unicystic. In 7 mandibular specimens of human fetuses found dental germs from the stage of bud to the crown. We note that the pattern of expression in the dental germs was variable for claudinas studied according to the cell type and stage of differentiation and was invariate only in the cells of stellate reticulum. In epithelium internal of enamel organ, claudin-1 has been decreasing with the progression of differentiation as to claudina-7 that was found in the cells of the peripheral papilla. For ameloblastoma the expression was more significant than that observed in dental germs. Fisher s exact test no found association between the expression of claudinas cells in central and peripheral and the type of ameloblastoma (solid or unicystic). Thus, in general the claudin-1 was positive in the central cell of 93,1% of the cases and in peripheral cells of 51,7%. The claudin-7 was expressed in the cells of all cases central and peripheral cells from 89,7%. For both claudins the distribution was predominantly diffuse cells both in central and peripheral cells. Given our findings it is suggested that the expression of claudins may be indicative of the involvement of these molecules in morphogenetics events culminating with the dental development and that possibly influence the development of neoplastic ameloblastoma

Resposta celular Th1 /Th2 na doença periodontal experimental, em ratos: um estudo imuno-histoquímico

Host response plays a major role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Mediators such as inflammatory cytokines which are secreted during the immune response to bacterial challenges have ambiguous functions that may or may not lead to protection of the attacked tissue. In this context, experimental evidence suggests that T-helper 1 (Th-1) and T-helper 2 (Th-2) mediated responses are potentially important during the disease process. The aims of this study therefore were to further clarify the role played by Th2 cells during different time points of the active phase of periodontal disease, as well as, to investigate whether there was any evidence of a Th1 response in the periodontal disease microenvironment. Experimental periodontitis was induced in 30 Wistar male rats by placing cotton ligatures around the mandibular first molars. The rats were then randomly divided into two groups. Group1 (G1=15) and Group 2 (G2=15). In G1 the ligatures were maintained for 2 days, whereas in G2 the ligatures were left for 15 days, a time point that corresponds to the advanced stage of periodontal disease The contra-lateral teeth served as controls (no ligatures). Immunohistochemical investigation for the presence in gingival tissue of Th2 specific transcription factor (GATA3) and the subunit of the IFN-γ receptor was carried out after the disease induction period. Light microscopy analysis revealed a decrease in the expression of GATA-3 as bone loss progressed. On the other hand, although IFN-γ R1 was detected at an early stage of the active phase of disease its expression remained unaltered during the remaining period of the study. These results indicate that the Th2 response have a protective role during the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and that the progression of the periodontal disease is related with the unbalance of the responses Th1/Th2

Estudo das ligas titânio-zircônio resultantes do processo de fundição plasma-skull para aplicações como biomateriais

The aim of this work was to study a series of 11 different compositions of Ti-Zr binary alloys resistance to aggressive environment, i. e., their ability to keep their surface properties and mass when exposed to them as a way to evaluate their performance as biomaterials. The first stage was devoted to the fabrication of tablets from these alloys by Plasma-Skull casting method using a Discovery Plasma machine from EDG Equipamentos, Brazil. In a second stage, the chemical composition of each produced tablet was verified. In a third stage, the specimen were submitted to: as-cast microstructure analysis via optical and scanning electron microscopy (OM and SEM), x-ray dispersive system (EDS) chemical analysis via SEM, Vickers hardness tests for mechanical evaluation and corrosion resistence tests in a 0.9% NaCl solution to simulate exposition to human saliva monitored by open circuit potential and polarization curves. From the obtained results, it was possible to infer that specimens A1 (94,07 wt% Ti and 5,93% wt% Zr), A4 (77,81 wt % Ti and 22,19 wt % Zr) and A8 (27,83 wt% Ti and 72,17 wt% Zr), presented best performance regarding to corrosion resistance, homogeneity and hardness which are necessary issues for biomaterials to be applied as orthopedic and odontological prosthesis

Análise comparativa na influência da técnica de moldagem funcional em arcos parcialmente edêntulos sobre os pontos de contato oclusais, a integridade da fibromucosa e a extensão da base da prótese

There is a lack of clinical studies evaluating techniques of functional impression for partially edentulous arches. The aim of this double-blind non-randomized controlled clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of altered cast impression (ACI) and direct functional impression (DFI) techniques. The efficacy was evaluated regarding the number of occlusal units on denture teeth, mucosa integrity at 24-hour follow-up and denture base extension. The sample included 51 patients (female and male) with mean age of 58.96 years treated at Dental Department of UFRN. The patients, exhibiting edentulous maxilla and mandibular Kennedy class I, were divided into two groups (group ACI, n=29; group DFI, n=22). Clinical evaluation was based on the number of occlusal units on natural and/or artificial teeth, mucosa integrity at 24-hour follow-up, and denture base extension. Statistical analysis was conducted using the software SPSS 17.0® (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois). Student T-test was used to reveal association between number of occlusal units and impression technique while chi-square test showed association between mucosa integrity and impression technique. Fischer s exact test was applied for association between denture base extension and impression technique at 95% level of significance. No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding number of occlusal units, mucosa integrity and denture base extension. The altered cast technique did not provide significant improvement in comparison to the direct technique when the number of occlusal units, mucosa integrity and denture base extension

Avaliação mecânica in vitro utilizando miniplacas quadradas e retangulares do sistema 2.0 mm em fraturas da região anterior de mandíbula

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the mechanical strength of squared and rectangular 2.0 mm system miniplates comparing them to the standard configuration with 2 straight miniplates in stabilizing fractures in the anterior mandible. Ninety synthetic polyurethane mandible replicas were used in mechanical test. The samples were divided into six groups of three different methods for fixation. Groups 1, 2 and 3 showed complete fractures in symphysis, characterized by a linear separation between the medial incisor, and groups 4, 5 and 6 showed complete fractures in parasymphysis with oblique design. Groups 1 and 4 were represented by the standard technique with two straight miniplates parallel to each other. Groups 2 and 5 were stabilized by squared miniplates and groups 3 and 6 were fixed by rectangular design. Each group was subjected to a mechanical test at a displacement speed of 10 mm/min on a universal testing machine, receiving linear vertical load on the region of the left first molar. The values of the maximum load and when displacements reached 5 mm were obtained and statistically analyzed by calculating the confidence interval of 95%. Fixation systems using squared (G2) and rectangular (G3) miniplates obtained similar results. No statistically significant differences with respect to the maximum load and the load at 5 mm displacement were found when compared to standard method in symphyseal fractures (G1). In parasymphysis the fixation method using squared miniplates (G5) obtained results without significant differences regarding the maximum load and the load at 5 mm when compared to the standard configuration (G4). The fixation method using rectangular miniplates (G6) showed inferior results which were statistically significant when compared to the standard configuration (G4) for parasymphysis fractures. The mechanical behavior of the fixation methods was similar, except when rectangular miniplates were used. The fixation methods showed better results with statistical significance in symphyseal fractures

Avaliação clínica de pacientes submetidos à colocação de implantes zigomáticos pela técnica de Stella & Warner

This study aimed to evaluate patients who underwent placement of zygomatic implants technique by Stella & Warner, considering the survival of conventional and zygomatic implants, sinus health and level of patient satisfaction in relation to oral rehabilitation. We evaluated 28 patients where 14 had received conventional and zygomatic implants, being rehabilitated with implant-fixed dentures (group 1) and 14 were rehabilitated only with conventional implants and implant-fixed dentures (group 2). The study had four phases, represented by radiographic evaluation of implants (stage I), clinical evaluation (stage II), assessing the health of the maxillary sinus (stage III) and a questionnaire to measure satisfaction of rehabilitation with fixed prosthesis implant Total -backed (stage IV). Group 2 underwent only stage IV, while group 1 participated in all stages. Descriptive analysis and statistics were performed, using the t test for independent samples in the evaluation of phase IV. The results demonstrated that the technique of Stella & Warner proved effective, allowing a high survival rate of conventional implants and zygomatic (100%), considering a minimum follow-up of 15 months and maximum 53 months after prosthetic rehabilitation. There were no pathological changes in tissues periimplants conventional and zygomatic implants analyzed. Radiographic findings showed satisfactory levels bone implants in the oral rehabilitation with conventional zygomatic implants and a good positioning of the apex of the zygomatic implants over the zygomatic bone. The presence of the zygomatic implant did not cause sinus and the t test showed a satisfaction index lower in group 1 compared with group 2. The zygomatic implant placement technique by Stella & Warner proved to be a predictable technique with high survival rate in patients with atrophic jaws, necessitating long-term follow-up to confirm the initial findings of the study

Avaliação clínica e radiográfica das complicações técnicas em próteses sobre implantes

The evaluation criteria of the cases treated with dental implants are based on clinical and radiographic tests. In this context it is important to conduct research to determine prognosis of different types of prosthetic rehabilitation and determination of the main problems affecting this type of treatment. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the prosthetic conditions of individuals rehabilitated with implant-supported prosthesis. In this cross-sectional study 153 patients were treated, accounting for a sample of 509 implants. The failures were observed by clinical and radiographic examination. The results showed that the fracture (0.2%) loss (0.4%) and loosening of the screws (3.3%) were failures are less frequent. The fracture structures as the resin (12.4%), porcelain (5.5%) and metallic (1.5%), loss of resin that covers the screw (23.8%) and loss of retention overdentures on implants (18.6%) had a higher occurrence. The failure of adaptation between the abutment and the implant (6.9%) and especially between the prosthesis and the abutment (25.4%) had a high prevalence and, when related to other parameters showed a significant association, particularly with the cemented prosthesis (OR = 6.79). It can be concluded that to minimize the appearance of failures, protocols must be observed from diagnosis to the settlement and control of prostheses on implants, particularly with respect to technical steps of the making of the prosthesis and care in radiographic evaluating the fit between their components

Influência da técnica de fabricação e dos materiais sobre o ajuste da interface pilar/implante em infraestruturas implantossuportadas

The aim of this study was to compare the misfit vertical, horizontal and passivity of zirconia and cobalt-chromium frameworks fabricated for CAD / CAM technology and conventional method of casting. Sixteen frameworks in one-piece, were obtained from a metallic matrix containing three Brånemark compatible implants with regular platform (Titamax Cortical Ti, Neodent). Eight frameworks were fabricated by CAD / CAM system (NeoShape, Neodent): four in zirconia (ZirCAD) and four cobalt-chromium (CoCrcad). Eight other frameworks were obtained by conventional casting method: four cobalt-chromium with UCLA abutment premachined Co-Cr (CoCrUCci) and four cobalt-chromium with UCLA abutment castable (CoCrUCc). The fit vertical, horizontal and passivity by one-screw test were measured using scanning electron microscopy with magnification of 250x. Initially evaluated the passivity by one-screw test and subsequently to assess the vertical and horizontal misfit, tightened all the screws with a torque of 20 Ncm. Mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values were calculated for each group. Measurements of horizontal misfit were transformed into cumulative frequency for categorization of the variable and the group later comparison groups. To evaluate the existence of quantitative differences between the groups tested for vertical misfit and passivity, we used the Kruskal-Wallis test. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare group to group statistical differences (p <0.05). Were observed the respective mean and standard deviation for vertical misfit and passivity in micrometers: ZirCAD (5.9 ± 3.6, 107.2 ± 36), CoCrcad (1.2 ± 2.2, 107.5 ± 26 ), CoCrUCci (11.8 ± 9.8, 124.7 ± 74), CoCrUCc (12.9 ± 11.0, 108.8 ± 85). There were statistical differences in measures of vertical misfit (p = 0.000). The Mann-Whitney test revealed statistical differences (p <0.05) between all groups except between CoCrUCci and CoCrUCc (p = 0.619). No statistical difference was observed for the passivity. In relation to the horizontal misfit groups ZirCAD and CoCrcad did not show best values in relation to CoCrUCci and CoCrUCc. Based on the results it can be concluded that frameworks fabricated by CAD / CAM technology had better values of vertical fit than those manufactured by the casting method, nevertheless, the passivity was not influenced by manufacturing technique and material used. The horizontal fit obtained by frameworks manufactured by CAD / CAM was not superior to those manufactured by casting. A lower variability in vertical adjustment and passivity was observed when frameworks were fabricated by CAD / CAM technology

Eficiência mastigatória e impacto da saúde oral na qualidade de vida em pacientes reabilitados com próteses totais removíveis implanto-suportadas

Edentulous patients with complaint about mandibular conventional denture might experience poor masticatory function and negative impact of oral health on quality of life. The aim of this controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of mandibular overdenture on oral health-related quality of life and masticatory efficacy in patients wearing mandibular complete dentures. The edentulous patients (n=16) were rehabilitated with new maxillary and mandibular complete dentures and, after 3 months, mandibular overdentures retained by 2 implants (bar-clip system) were fabricated. The Brazilian version of OHIP-Edent questionnaire was used to assess the oral healthrelated quality of life. Masticatory efficacy was evaluated through a colorimetric method with chewing capsules. The mean OHIP-Edent score was 8.5 with conventional dentures and 2.0 with mandibular overdenture, which means a positive impact of oral health on quality of life with overdentures (p=0.001). The mean absorbance for masticatory efficacy was 0.025 for conventional dentures and 0.073 for overdentures. There was statistically significant difference for masticatory efficacy before and after implants rehabilitation (p=0.003). However, there was no correlation between masticatory efficacy and OHIP (p>0.05). So, mandibular overdenture retained by 2 implants improved the quality of life and masticatory efficacy of edentulous patients with complaint about mandibular conventional complete dentures