Introduction:
Despite many imperfections complete conventional denture is an economic and classic form of prosthetic rehabilitation of edentulous patients. Nevertheless, poor retention and stability of prosthetic restorations is a common problem, especially in patients with the edentulous mandible, which prevents their smooth functioning. The question then arises whether a single implant can be an alternative to the treatment using two implants as resistance elements for complete lower jaw denture. A wider application of this method in everyday clinical practice can be an option for patients with the low socio-economic status and adaptive difficulties to conventional prosthetic restorations.

Aim of the study:
To assess patient’s satisfaction and the quality of life after using a single implant as a resistance element for lower jaw overdenture (OVD) compared to the previously used conventional dentures.

Material and methods:
31 fully edentate patients (22 women and 9 men) who for the previous twelve months used complete prosthetic restorations. These patients experienced adaptive problems mainly due to poor retention and stabilization of the lower denture. The surgical procedure consisted in introducing an implant in the midline of the mandible. The evaluation scale based on the answers to the questions contained in the survey was applied to determine the level of patient’s satisfaction with the dentures.

Results:
The analysis of the results of patient’s satisfaction with conventional complete prosthetic restorations and overdentures supported by a single implant shows a smaller level of discomfort associated with the use of dentures thanks to the application of the implant to improve the retention and stability of prosthetic restorations.

Conclusions:
1. The use of a single implant significantly improves retention and stability of complete lower denture, facilitates eating and improves psychosocial well being of the patient, and thus reduces discomfort associated with the use of restoration and improves the quality of life. 2. The application of a single implant to support complete lower overdenture is an effective treatment method and may be an alternative for patients with poor foundation area in the mandible presenting a challenge with a conventional denture and for those with the low socio-economic status.