Evaluation of factors affecting implant failure: A 13-year retrospective cohort study

Dental implant failure remains a significant concern in oral rehabilitation, with multiple risk factors contributing to early and late implant failure. While numerous studies have examined implant failure rates, limited research distinguishes between early implant failure (EIF) and late implant failure (LIF) based on patient-related, implant-specific, and surgical variables. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with EIF and LIF and to determine the impact of patient-related, implant-specific, and surgical variables on implant survival. This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Ondokuz Mayıs University. It is based on the treatments provided by an experienced surgeon to individuals who applied for implant treatment between January 2011 and January 2024. This study analyzed 490 patients who met the inclusion criteria out of 3720 who received implant treatment during the relevant years. The patients' ages ranged from 21 to 90, with a mean age of 53.92 ± 13.82 years. Sex, smoking, and implant length (≤10 mm) were identified as risk factors in analyzing parameters affecting EIF, while maxilla, implant length (<8 mm), SLA surface modification, sinus lift procedures, smoking, and short osteointegration duration were identified as risk factors in analyzing parameters affecting LIF. Our findings highlight the distinct risk profiles for EIF and LIF, emphasizing the importance of patient selection, surgical technique, and implant characteristics in optimizing long-term success rates. Recognizing EIF and LIF risk factors enables clinicians to refine treatment protocols and reduce implant failure rates, ultimately improving patient outcomes.