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Purpose: An analysis of retrospective data was conducted to establish the survival rates of
osseointegrated implants used to retain orbital, nasal, and auricular prostheses over a 14-
year period and to recommend guidelines in the restorative treatment of such facial
defects. Materials and Methods: Included in this study were all patients who received
implant-retained prostheses for auricular, nasal, or orbital defects from 1987 to 2001 in the
Maxillofacial Clinics at the UCLA and City of Hope Medical Centers. Data were obtained
from patient charts. Two methods were used to determine survival rates: (1) the percentage
of the total exposed implants that survived was determined, and (2) lifetable analysis was
used to calculate cumulative survival rates at different time intervals. Results: A total of
207 implants were placed in 72 patients, and 182 implants had been uncovered. During
the study period, 35 implants failed to integrate, and the survival rate for all exposed
implants was 80%. Auricular implants showed the highest survival rate (95%), and orbital
implants showed the lowest survival rate (53%). The lifetable analysis demonstrated a
cumulative 6-year survival rate of 92% for auricular implants and 87% for piriform/nasal
implants. In contrast, the survival rate for orbital implants showed a steady downward
trend and reached 59% at 66 months. Conclusion: It is possible to achieve high survival
rates of implants in the auricular and piriform/nasal sites through careful presurgical and
radiographic planning. The less favorable long-term survival of implants in the orbital rim,
especially at irradiated sites, requires further study. Int J Prosthodont 2002;15:325–332.
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