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Volume 15 , Issue 4
July/August 2000
Pages 505–510

Five-Year Results with Fixed Complete-Arch Mandibular Prostheses Supported by 4 Implants

Alf Eliasson, DDS, Sigvard Palmqvist, DDS, Odont dr, Björn Svenson, DDS, Odont dr, Katarina Sondell, DDS

PMID: 10960983

This study examined whether it is possible to restore an edentulous mandible with a complete-arch fixed prosthesis retained by only 4 implants without decreasing the survival rate. One hundred nineteen patients received complete-arch mandibular prostheses retained by 4 implants. Most patients were followed for 3 years or more. All patients followed a routine protocol, including annual check-ups and regular radiographic examinations. Twenty-one patients dropped out. Radiographic measurements used the threads of the implants as a basis for comparison. No indication was found that the number of supporting implants could have influenced the observed frequency of technical and surgical complications. Three implants were lost, 2 after 1 year and 1 after 5 years. A statistically significant difference in bone loss between the mesial and distal implants was found. The number of fractured resin teeth in mandibular prostheses was higher when patients had an implant-supported prosthesis in the maxilla. The present study revealed an implant survival rate of 98.6% after 5 years. Therefore, it was concluded that there may not be a need for more than 4 implants to support a fixed mandibular prosthesis, when implants at least 10 mm long can be used. (INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2000;15:505–510) Key words: dental implants, implant-supported dental prosthesis, mandible

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