This systematic review evaluated the influence played by the number of implants on the results of rehabilitation treatment with mandibular overdentures on 2 or 4 implants. The literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases. Specific terms were used in performing a search from January 1980 to January 2013. The search strategy was applied by two reviewers who extracted the data and compared the results. Discrepancies were resolved by discussion. Great heterogeneity was seen among the selected studies, in regard to survival rates, prosthesis failure and function rates. A medium degree of quality and methodological consistency was found in one study, and no studies showed a high degree. When considering the prosthesis success rate for 2 implants, there was a variation of 23% to 100%. However, when considering the survival rate, the result was 92% to 100%. For 4 implants, prosthesis survival rates showed less variation, i.e., 97.7% to 100%. Ball attachments were the most common type of abutment for 2 implants; however, there was a higher prevalence of bar abutments for 4 implants. Rehabilitations with 2 implants showed more complications and required more maintenance according to the connection type. Given the limitations of this review, mandibular overdentures with 4 implants showed better results with respect to survival and success rates, especially those with a bar connection. Further studies comparing these two treatment types are necessary to improve the scientific evidence in this area.

Post-poliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) is characterized by the delayed appearance of new neuromuscular symptoms in patients several years after their acute poliomyelitis paralysis. Clinical features of PPS include fatigue, joint and muscle pain, new muscular weakness and bulbar symptoms. The diagnosis is essentially clinical after excluding other neurological, orthopedic or rheumatologic problems. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are usually diagnosed by means of comprehensive review of patient history and clinical examination and the symptoms are pain/ discomfort in the jaw, mainly in the region of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and/or masticatory muscles, limitation of mandibular function and/or TMJ sounds. In the same way as PPS, the diagnosis of TMD is challenging. This study reports the case of a patient that presented the symptoms of both conditions in the stomatognathic system, and discusses how to achieve the differential diagnosis for proper management of the cases.