Clinical and Radiographic Changes at Implants Supporting Fixed Partial Dental Prostheses With Cantilever Extensions. A Retrospective Study After at Least 10 Years of Loading.

AIM: To report clinical and radiographic changes at implants supporting Fixed Partial Dental Prostheses with Cantilever extensions (FPDPC's) after a loading time exceeding 10 years.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Patients with FPDPC's were reevaluated after a loading time of 10-21 years. A clinical and radiographic examination was conducted to assess Marginal bone level change (MBLc), biological, and prosthetic parameters. Pocket depth (PD), Attachment Level (CAL), Bleeding on Probing (BOP), and Presence of Plaque (PL) were also recorded.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients with 21 FPDPC's supported by 47 implants were re-evaluated after a mean loading time of 13.3 ± 2.9 years (range: 10-21 years). Implant survival rate was 100% and implant success rate was 91.5%, accounting for 4 implants (8.5%) that presented with peri-implantitis. Twelve implants (25.5%) exhibited peri-implant mucositis. Three of the FPDPC's had to be replaced due to fracture of the cantilever teeth and one other FPDPC had abutment screw fracture which was corrected, leading to prosthetic survival and success rates of 86% and 81%, respectively. Mean MBLc from implant placement to time of re-evaluation was 0.99 ± 1.11 mm (95% CI: 0.67, 1.31, p-value < 0.001). Mean PD at re-evaluation was 3.9 ± 1.6 mm, mean CAL was 1.2 ± 1.6 mm. Percentages of BOP and PL were 14.89% ± 23.11% and 26.6% ± 30.625 respectively.

CONCLUSION

Fixed partial dental prostheses with cantilever extensions are a reliable option if extensive bone grafting or sinus lifts are to be avoided, with 10-year results showing 100% implant survival, 90% implant success, and 86% and 81% prosthetic survival and success rates, respectively.