Long-term results of implants and implant-supported prostheses under systematic supportive implant therapy: A retrospective 25-year study

Abstract

Background: Long-term data (>10 years) concerning the survival and success rates of implants and implant-supported prostheses are scarce.

Purpose: The present investigation represents one of the first studies on dental implants covering an observational period of 25 years.

Materials and methods: This study presents the results obtained in 26 patients with 75 implants who participated over a 23- to 28-year period in a supportive implant therapy (SIT) program at a private dental practice. We extracted existing data from the patients' files (pocket depths [PDs], bleeding on probing [BoP], radiographic peri-implant bone loss, and survival rates of the implant-supported prostheses).

Results: After 25 years, the SIT-compliant patients' implants had a survival rate of 95% (prostheses: 88%). The mean peri-implant probing depth was 3.69 mm (median: 3.33; SD: 1.06; range: 2-8.33). The mean peri-implant bone level was 1.84 mm (median: 1.82; SD: 1.20; range: -0.97-5.2). Finally, the prevalence (moment of last consultation) and incidence (during the entire observational period) of peri-implantitis were 7% and 30%, respectively.

Conclusions: Under SIT conditions, clinicians may expect survival rates for implant-supported prostheses of >80%. Most implants (60%) did not develop signs of peri-implantitis over a 25-year period.

Keywords: implant survival; long-term survival; peri-implantitis; success rate; therapy of peri-implantitis.