Complications in Full-Arch Implant-Supported Restorations During the Maintenance Phase: A Three-Domain Critical Analysis.

Authors

David Norré, Venceslav Stankov, Wael Att

Published in

The International journal of prosthodontics. Volume 0. Issue 0. Pages 1-23. Aug 28, 2026. Epub Aug 28, 2026.

Abstract

Full-arch implant-supported restorations are widely regarded as a predictable treatment modality for edentulous patients, demonstrating high implant survival rates over long-term follow-up. However, the maintenance phase is frequently characterized by a substantial burden of biological, hygienic, and mechanical complications that extend far beyond implant survival alone. Current literature often reports survival outcomes exceeding 90% after 10 years,1 yet these metrics fail to adequately reflect the recurrent maintenance interventions required throughout the lifespan of the prosthesis. This paper proposes a three-domain framework for understanding complications in full-arch implant-supported restorations: biological complications, hygiene-related challenges, and long-term prosthetic wear with recurrent mechanical complications. Rather than treating these events as isolated phenomena, this model emphasizes their interdependence and the central role of prosthetic design, implant positioning, and maintenance accessibility. Biological complications include peri-implant mucositis, peri-implantitis, and marginal bone loss. Hygiene-related challenges arise from prosthetic contours and geometries that compromise plaque control and long-term maintainability. Long-term prosthetic wear includes recurrent technical complications such as screw loosening, screw fracture, material degradation, veneering failure, and implant or abutment fracture. Recent evidence from the Global Consensus for Clinical Guidelines (GCCG) highlights the lack of standardized maintenance protocols and the high prevalence of prosthetic complications in implant-supported fixed complete dentures. A shift toward maintenance-oriented and prosthetically driven treatment planning appears essential to improve long-term outcomes.

PMID:
42664434
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 29 Aug 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.