Survival and complication rates of combined tooth–implant‐supported fixed partial dentures

Abstract Objectives: The objective of this study has been to review the incidence of biological and technical complications in case of tooth–implant‐supported fixed partial denture (FPD) treatments on the basis of survival data regarding clinical cases. Material and methods: Based on the treatment documentations of a Bundeswehr dental clinic (Cologne‐Wahn German Air Force Garrison), the medical charts of 83 patients with tooth‐implant‐supported FPDs were completely recorded. The median follow‐up time was 4.73 (time range: 2.2–8.3) years. In the process, survival curves according to Kaplan and Meier were applied in addition to frequency counts. Results: A total of 84 tooth‐implant (83 patients) connected prostheses were followed (132 abutment teeth, 142 implant abutments (Branemark, Straumann). FPDs: the time‐dependent illustration reveals that after 5 years, as many as 10% of the tooth‐implant‐supported FPDs already had to be subjected to a technical modification (renewal ( n =2), reintegration ( n =4), veneer fracture ( n =5), fracture of frame ( n =2)). In contrast to non‐rigid connection of teeth and implants, technical modification measures were rarely required in case of tooth‐implant‐supported FPDs with a rigid connection. There was no statistical difference between technical complications and the used implant system. Abutment teeth and implants: during the observation period, none of the functionally loaded implants ( n =142) had to be removed. Three of the overall 132 abutment teeth were lost because of periodontal inflammation. The time‐dependent illustration reveals, that after 5 years as many as 8% of the abutment teeth already required corresponding therapeutic measures (periodontal treatment (5%), filling therapy (2.5%), endodontic treatment (0.5%)). After as few as 3 years, the connection related complications of implant abutments (abutment or occlusal screw loosening, loss of cementation) already had to be corrected in approximately 8% of the cases. In the utilization period there was no screw or abutment fracture. Conclusion: Technical complications of implant‐supported FPDs are dependent on the different bridge configurations. When using rigid functional connections, similarly favourable values will be achieved as in case of solely implant‐supported FPDs. In this study other characteristics like different fixation systems (screwed vs. cemented) or various implant systems had no significant effect to the rate of technical complications.