Dental Implants in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Multicenter Retrospective Study. Part 1: Implant Outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Despite the potential benefits of implant-supported rehabilitation, data on implant performance and peri-implant health in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate dental implant outcomes in adults with non-syndromic ID and to identify variables associated with peri-implant health, complications, and implant loss.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective cohort study included adults with non-syndromic ID who received at least one dental implant and had a minimum follow-up of 36 months. Dental implants placed in 137 patients across 7 specialised centers in Spain, France, Italy, and South Korea were analysed. Standardised data were collected on patient characteristics, oral health status, implant design, prosthetic variables, and follow-up care. Clinical outcomes were categorised as peri-implant health, mucositis, peri-implantitis, or implant loss.

RESULTS

Of the 453 implants placed, 418 (92.3%) remained functional at a mean follow-up of 75.9 ± 42.7 months (range: 36-211 months). Among the 445 implants evaluated for clinical outcomes, 63.6% were classified as healthy, 23.4% as presenting with mucositis, 4.4% with peri-implantitis, and 7.3% were lost during the follow-up period. Tissue-level implant type, cement-retained fixed prostheses, and the use of general anaesthesia during the impression step were significantly associated with peri-implant clinical outcomes. No variables were identified as statistically significant predictors of implant loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental implant therapy represents a viable long-term treatment option for adults with non-syndromic ID. Despite the clinical challenges of this population, high survival and success rates can be achieved, particularly when appropriate implant selection, prosthetic retention systems, and behavioural management techniques are implemented.