Analysis of the Factors Affecting Surgical Success of Implants Placed in Iranian Warfare Victims

The aim was to evaluate the survival time and success rates of dental implants in warfare victims and factors that affect implant success.

This retrospective study involved 250 Iranian warfare victims who received dental implants from 2003 to 2013. Patients' demographic characteristics, as well as the brand, diameter, length, location and failure rate of the implants were retrieved from patients' dental records and radiographs. The associations between these data and the survival rate were analyzed. Statistical analysis was carried out with χ2 and log-rank tests.

Overall, out of the 1,533 dental implants, 61 (4%) failed. The maxillary canine area had the highest failure rate [9 of 132 implants (6.8%)], while the mandibular incisor region had the least number of failures [3 of 147 implants (2.0%)] and the longest survival time (approximately 3,182 days). Maxillary canine areas had the shortest survival (about 2,996 days). The longest survival time was observed in implants with 11 mm length (3,179.72 ± 30.139 days) and 3.75-4 mm diameter (3,131.161 ± 35.96 days), and the shortest survival was found in implants with 11.5 mm length (2,317.79 ± 18.71 days) and 6.5 mm diameter (2,241.45 ± 182.21 days). Moreover, implants with 10 mm length (10.7%) and 5.5-6 mm diameter (22.2%) had the highest failure rate; however, the least failure rate occurred when the implants were 11.5 mm in length (1.9%) and 3-3.5 mm in diameter (3.1%).

The brand, length and diameter of implants affected the survival time, failure rate and time to failure. The location of the implant was not statistically significant regarding the mentioned factors, although it has clinical significance.