A study of 589 consecutive implants supporting complete fixed prostheses. Part II: Prosthetic aspects

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Oral Surgery

Background:

• Edentulism presents significant challenges for oral function and aesthetics.
• Fixed prostheses supported by dental implants offer a viable solution for completely edentulous patients.
• Brånemark Implants have been widely used for decades in implant dentistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term predictability and outcomes of Brånemark Implants in supporting complete fixed prostheses for edentulous jaws.
• To assess cumulative failure rates, marginal bone loss, and component complications over a seven-year period.

Main Methods:

• A consecutive series of 103 jaws in 91 edentulous patients were treated with fixed prostheses supported by 589 Brånemark Implants.
• Follow-up data were collected for up to seven years post-loading.
• Analysis included cumulative failure rates, marginal bone loss, and component complications.

Main Results:

• The cumulative failure rate after seven years was 4.9% for mandibles and 10.1% for maxillae.
• Twelve fixtures showed signs of nonintegration, with only one patient requiring conversion to complete dentures.
• Marginal bone loss was not significantly affected by fixture location or cantilever length, but was higher in patients with bilateral fixed prostheses.

Conclusions:

• Brånemark Implants demonstrate high predictability and success rates in the rehabilitation of completely edentulous jaws with fixed prostheses.
• The implant system proves reliable for long-term functional and aesthetic restoration.
• Component complications were infrequent and did not compromise overall treatment success significantly.