Long-term clinical evaluation of implant over denture

The use of implants to treat edentulous jaws has become a well-established and accepted contemporary clinical method. The aim of this study was to analyze information about the implants used, patients, denture modality, and complications after denture insertion in partially and fully edentulous patients with implant overdentures placed.

A survey was performed about patients rehabilitated using implant dentures at the Tsurumi University Dental Hospital during 8 years. A total of 201 implants were placed: 112 in the maxilla and 89 in the mandible. Descriptive statistics were used for each patient, such as the implant positions and numbers, retainer designs, denture modalities, implant survival rate and prosthetic complications.

The positions of implant placement were: incisor (44%); canine (26%); premolar (18%); and molar (12%). Approximately 70% of the retainers were bar attachments and magnet attachments. The majority of the prostheses were metal-based dentures (84%) compared to only 10 acrylic dentures (16%). Fully edentulous, fourteen (12 maxillary, 2 mandibular) of 171 implants failed. Partially edentulous, three (3 maxillary, 0 mandibular) of 30 implants failed. The denture complications observed during maintenance were denture fracture, retainer breakage and artificial tooth fracture.

Although the mandibular implant dentures placed were exceedingly reliable for rehabilitation with a high survival rate, the maxillary implant dentures exhibited a low survival rate and more frequent complications. Significantly higher implant failures and prosthetic complications were observed in the initial period after placement than in the following years.