Retrospective Evaluation of Peri-Implant Maintenance in Patients With Implant-Supported Fixed Prostheses

Dental implants have emerged as a dependable solution for replacing missing teeth, boasting high survival rates. Nonetheless, implant placement marks only the initiation of a lifelong maintenance protocol. Ensuring the long-term success of dental implants hinges on the essential preservation of peri-implant tissue health and is dependent on patient compliance, which is considered a critical determinant in supportive care.

The purpose of this study is to retrospectively analyze peri-implant mucosal aspects from the time of baseline assessment to a follow-up period of 3.5-4.5 years.

This retrospective analysis included follow-ups of 68 patients who received one or multiple dental implants between 2011 and 2016. Baseline assessment took place around 8 weeks after placement of the final restoration to assess the peri-implant condition clinically and radiographically. Peri-implant bleeding on probing (PiBOP), peri-implant probing pocket depth (PiPPD), and gingival recession were recorded during every visit.

Implant-level analysis of PiBOP showed an increase from 31% at baseline to 48% at the follow-up appointment (p < 0.001). The average PiPPD at implant level was 3.2 mm at baseline and increased to 3.5 mm (p < 0.001). Male patients presented with significantly higher PiPPD values compared to female patients (implant level: p=0.017, patient level: p=0.039). There was no apparent difference in PiPPD between the group with a restoration with an emergence angle <30° or ≥30° (p=0.912).

Peri-implant conditions remained fairly stable after the follow-up period. More effort needs to be made to improve the adherence of patients to peri-implant maintenance care.