Survival rates, patient satisfaction, and prosthetic complications of implant fixed complete dental prostheses: a 12-month prospective study.

PURPOSE: To determine the survival rate, incidence of prosthetic complications, and patient satisfaction of implant fixed complete dental prostheses (IFCDPs) after a mean observation period of 1.4 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight (28) eligible participants were recruited according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The definitive metal-acrylic resin IFCDPs consisted of titanium bars veneered with acrylic resin and acrylic denture teeth. Prosthodontic complications, divided into major and minor, were monitored. Parameters such as gender, jaw location, bruxism, and occlusal scheme were evaluated. Moreover, a questionnaire was administered throughout the study to assess patient satisfaction. Poisson regression as well as repeated measures ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen (14) males and 14 females were enrolled and followed-up at 3, 6, and 12 months. All IFCDPs survived (100% survival rate). The most frequent minor complication was the loss of material used to close the screw access hole (20% out of total complications). The most frequent major complication was chipping of the acrylic denture teeth (77.14% out of total complications). Gender (p = 0.008) and bruxism (p = 0.030) were significant predictors for the total major complications (major wear and major chipping) while occlusal scheme was a significant predictor for major chipping events (p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: While IFCDPs demonstrated high prosthetic survival rates, they also exhibited a high number of chipping events of the acrylic veneering material, especially in males, bruxers, and individuals with canine guidance occlusion. However, the occurrence of these prosthetic complications did not negatively affect patient satisfaction.

Peri-Implant Diseases and Biologic Complications at Implant-Supported Fixed Dental Prostheses in Partially Edentulous Patients.

PURPOSE: This is a single center, retrospective study to assess the prevalence of peri-implant disease and biologic complications in a cohort of partially edentulous subjects in relation to selected prosthetic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects previously treated with one or more implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis (ISFDPs) were recalled for a comprehensive examination. Clinical and radiographic records were taken and questionnaires were administered. The prevalence of implant failure, peri-implant disease and other biologic complications were correlated with selected prosthetic, clinical and patient-related factors using chi-square and multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: A convenience sample of 71 subjects with 100 prostheses supported by 222 dental implants were enrolled in the study. The mean follow-up time after prosthesis delivery was 3.3 ± 1.5 years (range of 1-9 years). The cumulative implant survival rate was 99.1%. Peri-implantitis was the most frequent major biologic complication (5% of implants), while the most frequent minor biologic complication was peri-implant mucositis (84.10% of implants). A diagnosis of peri-implant mucositis was more likely associated with cement-retained prostheses compared to screw-retained prostheses (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.1-78.6, p = 0.045) and for short-span prostheses (≤3 prosthetic units) (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-5.0, p = 0.034). Subject-reported quality of life measures were high regardless of the existence of major and/or minor complications, but decreased with increasing number of minor and total biologic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Peri-implant mucositis and other minor biologic complications were highly prevalent. The distribution of the observed complications differed based on the method of prosthesis retention and the number of prosthetic units replaced.

Prosthesis Survival Rates and Prosthetic Complications of Implant-Supported Fixed Dental Prostheses in Partially Edentulous Patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and distribution of prosthetic complications affecting implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (ISFDPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects previously treated with one or more ISFDP(s) were identified from an electronic health record search and recalled for comprehensive clinical examination. Past prosthesis failures and complications were identified from the patient records while any existing complications, not previously recorded, were assessed during examination. ISFDP survival and failure rates were calculated with Kaplan-Meier curves and life table analysis, while regression Poisson analysis was used to identify associations between outcomes and possible patient- and prosthesis-based risk factors. RESULTS: Seventy-four subjects with 107 ISFDPs were enrolled in the study with a mean time between prosthesis delivery and exam of 3.14 years (range: 1.00-9.00 years). Four prostheses failed, resulting in a cumulative prosthesis survival rate of 96.26%. Prosthetic complications affected 48.59% of ISFDPs, the majority (94.87%) of them minor complications. Only the use of a nightguard was associated with a lower prevalence of prosthetic screw loosening (HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.59, p = 0.007) while no outcome differences were noted for other variables. Patient satisfaction was high regardless of presence or number of complications. CONCLUSIONS: ISFDPs demonstrated a high survival rate and overall high, patient-reported satisfaction. Minor prosthetic complications were common but were only significantly associated with nightguard use.

Comprehensive digital approach with the Digital Smile System: A clinical report.

This clinical report describes a comprehensive digital approach with the Digital Smile System (DSS) and its clinical use in the prosthetic treatment of a patient for whom 6 anterior maxillary porcelain veneers were fabricated. Following this digital protocol, extraoral facial images and a diagnostic intraoral digital scan were obtained. Digital smile analysis, virtual diagnostic waxing, and milled trial restorations were made in the diagnostic phase. After tooth preparation, data from digital scans were used in the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) of the definitive restorations.

An alternative impression technique for mobile teeth.

The impression technique described combines elastomeric impression materials and irreversible hydrocolloid to make an accurate preliminary impression of extremely mobile and misaligned teeth. Upon setting, the materials are removed from the mouth in 3 different directions and reassembled extraorally. This technique provides an alternative, easy, accurate, and safe way to make a preliminary impression of mobile, periodontally involved teeth.