Biologic complications with removable partial dentures assisted by short implants: A 34-month pilot randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Statement of problem

Limited information is available on the relationship between the biologic complications of removable partial dentures (RPDs) assisted by short implants and conventional RPDs.

Purpose

The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled clinical trial was to compare biologic complications between patients using Kennedy Class I conventional RPDs (CRPDs) and RPDs assisted by short implants (IARPDs) after a mean period of 34 months with the prostheses in function. The secondary aim was to evaluate the success and survival rates of these short implants.

Material and methods

Thirty-three partially edentulous individuals (range 36 to 87 years), seeking treatment with RPDs and who were candidates for implant placement were enrolled and included in this pilot randomized clinical trial. Eligible participants were randomized into either the CRPD or IARPD group. LOCATOR abutments were used to convert CRPDs to IARPDs in the IARPD group. Biologic complications such as loss of abutment teeth, caries on abutment teeth, gingivitis or periodontitis on abutment teeth, implant survival, radiographic bone levels, peri-implant mucositis, and peri-implantitis were evaluated.

Results

Data were collected from 33 participants: 19 in the CRPD and 14 in the IARPD group. Nonimplant related biologic complications occurred in 44.7% of the CRPD abutment teeth and 21.4% of the IARPD abutment teeth. The most common complications were gingival inflammation and caries on the abutment teeth, with an incidence in the CRPD group of 31.6% and 28.9% and in the IARPD group of 14.3% and 14.3%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in the biologic complications of IARPDs and CRPDs. The incidence of peri-implant mucositis was 42.9% and of peri-implantitis 10.7%. Early implant failure rate was 10.0%, and late implant failure rate was 10.7%.

Conclusions

CRPDs and IARPDs presented with a similar incidence of biologic complications. RPDs assisted by short implants offer a valuable treatment option when limited bone is available for alternative treatments.