Long term results with intraosseous implants: a questionnaire-based assessment.

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Oral Surgery
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Dental implant success rates are crucial for patient outcomes and treatment planning.
• Previous studies, including those by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 1977, have provided benchmarks for implant longevity.
• Understanding current implant loss rates is essential for evaluating modern dental materials and techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare current dental implant retention data with historical benchmarks.
• To determine the realistic loss rate of dental implants based on a multinational survey.
• To assess factors influencing dental implant survival, such as retention time and materials used.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based survey was conducted by the FDI (Fédération Dentaire Internationale).
• Data from 1024 dental implants across five countries were collected, including retention time, materials, and implant types.
• Results were compared with historical ADA surveys and literature data from 695 implants.

Main Results:

• The FDI survey recorded a dental implant loss rate of 16.5% among 1024 implants.
• This calculated loss rate closely aligns with objective follow-up investigations reported in the literature.
• A realistic overall implant loss rate of approximately 16% was confirmed.

Conclusions:

• Current dental implant loss rates are consistent with historical data, suggesting stability in long-term outcomes.
• The findings validate the reliability of questionnaire-based surveys for assessing implant survival.
• Further research can focus on specific material or procedural factors contributing to the observed loss rate.