Failures and complications in 391 consecutively inserted fixed prostheses supported by Brånemark implants in edentulous jaws

TLDR

391 edentulous jaws received routine fixed prostheses on 2,199 Brånemark implants. Over a 1‑year follow‑up, prostheses and implants achieved 99.5% and 98.1% success rates, respectively, with few severe complications—though the maxillae experienced a higher problem ratio than the mandibles, including resin‑tooth fractures and lip biting—yet most issues were easily resolved and the prostheses were readily retrievable.

Abstract

A total of 391 edentulous maxillae and mandibles was consecutively treated with routine fixed prostheses, supported by 2,199 implants. The patients were followed for 1 year; the overall success rate was 99.5% and 98.1% for the prostheses and implants, respectively. The number of severe complications was low, but it was possible to identify a significantly higher ratio of problems in the maxillae throughout the observation period than for the mandibles. While many problems occurred in both the maxillae and mandibles, there were also problems more typical for each jaw. Diction and fractures of resin teeth were more common problems in maxillae; cheek and lip biting was a more frequent postinsertion complication in the treatment of mandibles. Most problems were easily resolved, and the retrievability of the prostheses was of great advantage.