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Distal cantilevers and implant dentistry
Georgios E Romanos1, Bhumija Gupta, Steven E Eckert
1Department of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University, School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8705, USA. georgios.romanos@stonybrook.edu
The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants
|October 12, 2012
Summary
Distal cantilevers in implant-supported prostheses show a 95% survival rate, with screw loosening being the most common complication. These prostheses offer a low-risk treatment option for dental restorations.
Area of Science:
- Dental Implantology
- Prosthodontics
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Distal cantilevers are frequently discussed in implant-supported prostheses literature.
- Understanding their long-term success and associated complications is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review literature on factors influencing long-term success of distal cantilevers in implant restorations.
- To identify complications associated with distal cantilever prosthetic designs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of MEDLINE (1980-2011) using keywords: "crestal bone loss," "dental implants," "distal cantilevers," "marginal bone loss," "periodontal disease."
- Inclusion of 14 human clinical studies and 5 in vitro studies.
- Data extraction from in vivo studies; descriptive analysis from in vitro and animal studies.
Main Results:
- A prosthetic survival rate of 95% was observed over a mean follow-up of 7.3 years.
- Screw loosening was the most frequent complication, noted across most studies.
- Porcelain chipping and veneer fracture were reported but lacked quantitative data.
Conclusions:
- Distal cantilever prostheses demonstrate a high survival rate and are preferred due to perceived low risk.
- While screw loosening is common, cantilevers represent a viable treatment option without significant complications.
