Introduction: Although peri-implant bone loss is one of the parameters included in the criteria for determining implant success, its prevention is of vital importance. The goal of this article is to assess the factors that affect peri-implant bone loss.
Material and methods: An observational, longitudinal, retrospective study was conducted in 148 partially edentulous patients rehabilitated with implants and with a follow-up period of 5 years or more. A total of 585 implants were included in the study. Radiographic peri-implant bone loss was compared with radiographic periodontal bone loss, and other characteristics such as prosthesis design, hygiene, and implant size were studied as potential peri-implant bone loss modification factors.
Results: In the univariate analysis, a statistically significant relationship between peri-implant bone loss and gender (P < 0.05), implant system (P < 0.01), reason for extraction (P < 0.05), splinting (P < 0.0001), and distance between the implant platform and the horizontal component of the prosthesis (P < 0.0001) were observed. In multivariate analysis, the relationship between this peri-implant loss and gender (P < 0.05), implant system (P < 0.05), splinting (P < 0.001), and the aforementioned distance (P < 0.01) remains.
Conclusions: The distance implant platform-horizontal component of the prosthesis has the greatest effect on peri-implant bone loss This distance must be >3.3 mm and <6 mm, above this range, it no longer influences in peri-implant bone loss and favors the appearance of embrasures and the buildup of bacterial plaque.
Keywords: abutment; bone loss; dental implants; periodontitis; risk factors.
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.