Prognosis of multi-unit implant supported and combined tooth-implant supported fixed dental prostheses: a retrospective cohort study with a mean observation period of 4.27 years.

Authors

Moritz Waldecker, Peter Rammelsberg

Published in

Clinical oral investigations. Volume 29. Issue 10. Pages 463. Sep 17, 2025. Epub Sep 17, 2025.

Abstract

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate survival of multi-unit FDPs in comparison to 3-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs).
434 FDPs placed in 326 patients were selected from a prospective clinical long-term study. 213 FDPs were solely implant-supported, 154 FDPs tooth-implant supported, and 67 FDPs were cantilever FDPs. The most FDPs had 3-units (n = 315), 95 FDPs had 4-units, and 24 FDPs had more than 4 units. The most FDPs had a unit/abutment relation of ≤ 1.5 (n = 336), and 98 FDPs had a relation of > 1.5. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate the survival probability of the FDPs for the variables type of FDP support, number of units and loading factor. Univariate log-rank tests were used to test for differences between groups within variables.
The mean observation period was 4.27 years. In the observation period of up to 12.6 years 17 FDPs failed mainly through technical complications. The underlying causes were implant loss (n = 6), abutment tooth loss (n = 5), loosening of the abutment screw (n = 1), and extensive chipping (n = 5). Survival probability of all FDPs was ≥ 89,6% after 10 years. Log-rank tests revealed no significant differences between groups for all variables (support, number of units, and loading factor (p ≥ .339).
Because of their promising prognosis 4-unit FDPs placed on implants or a combination of tooth and implant can be recommended as an alternative to 3-unit FDPs. A higher number of implants in relation to FDP units does not improve the prognosis of FDPs.
Support, number of units and the loading factor do not influence the survival of FDPs. Therefore, 4-unit FDPs placed on implants or a combination of tooth and implant are a valuable treatment alternative to 3-unit FDPs.

PMID:
40960697
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 17 Sep 2025.

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