The IMU School of Dentistry has consistently fostered a strong research culture among its faculty, emphasizing high-impact clinical and translational research. The objective of this initiative was to advance ongoing investigations in the field of implant-supported overdentures, building upon a previously completed and successful clinical study comparing single-implant versus two-implant overdentures by A/Prof Dr Pravinkumar Patil and the team. This new project aims to expand the research evidence base while providing opportunities for 1–2 PhD candidates and approximately 30 elderly edentulous patients to benefit from advanced treatment modalities.

The project entitled “Immediately loaded 4-implant Locator-Fixed prosthesis vs Overdentures: Randomized Controlled Trial” is being implemented within the School of Dentistry’s clinical and research facilities, leveraging the institution’s robust infrastructure and patient base between the timeline of October 2025 to September 2028. This initiative is designed as a collaborative clinical research project encompassing patient recruitment, surgical and prosthodontic treatment, data collection, and longitudinal follow-up.

Patient, from previous study, using 2-implant overdenture with removable LOCATOR attachments in lower arch. Under present research-grant, total 4-implants will be placed with either Removable or Fixed LOCATORs.

The study involves the placement of 120 dental implants for 30 recruited research participants, comparing two denture attachment systems ie fixed attachment versus removable attachments in a randomised controlled clinical trial. The fixed attachment (LOCATOR FIXED® (LF)) is designed to provide a fixed full-arch prosthesis for patients in enhancing their chewing functions and aesthetics. The fixed attachment (LF) is a relatively new type of attachment to retain the dentures; requiring less invasive procedures and less laboratory components with ease of repair and maintenance.

This project represents a unique tri-agency collaboration supported by three prestigious international organizations:

• ITI Research Grant (International Team for Implantology Foundation, Switzerland)

• Straumann Switzerland Industry Grant: Providing a total of 120 dental implants and related components

• Zest Dental Solutions USA Industry Grant: Providing a total 120 fixed-attachments and related components and kits

Additionally, there is also an institutional collaboration with Loma Linda University USA with academic staff Dr Michael Scherer, as co-researcher for this clinical trial project.

This initiative marks a landmark achievement for the University, being the first clinical trial project to receive concurrent research grant supports from three international funding bodies. The collaboration significantly enhances the University’s research visibility and credibility on the global stage, aligning with IMU’s aspiration to be top university on the world map (Road-to-500 strategic plan). The project provides invaluable learning opportunities for research students through exposure to evidence-based implant protocols and patient-centered clinical care. Additionally, it strengthens faculty expertise in advanced implantology and fosters international academic–industry partnerships. Currently, one PhD candidate has  enrolled to this project under the supervision of A/Prof Dr Pravinkumar Patil.

This initiative represents a significant milestone for a randomised clinical trial evaluating the performance of the newly developed LF fixed attachment system in comparison with the current established removable attachment system. Over the course of three years, the study targets to treat 30 patients with a total of 120 dental implants to support lower overdentures, contributing to novel clinical evidence to the global implant dentistry community.

1. A/P Dr Pravinkumar Patil (IMU University, Malaysia),
2. Prof Seow Liang Lin (IMU University, Malaysia),
3. Dr Siddharth Dhanaraj (IMU University, Malaysia),
4. Dr Smita Nimbalkar (IMU University, Malaysia),
5. Dr Michael Scherer (Loma Linda University, USA).