OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes of implant-supported full-arch fixed dental prostheses (ISFAFDPs) and the supporting implants.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included patients treated with ISFAFDPs at one specialist clinic. Implant/prosthesis failure and complications were the outcomes analyzed. Survival analysis methods were used.

RESULTS: A total of 709 patients with 869 ISFAFDPs (4,797 implants) were included, with a mean ± SD follow-up of 10.7 ± 7.2 years. A total of 353 implants and 62 prostheses failed. Estimated cumulative survival rates were as follows: 93.3% (95% CI 91.3, 95.3) after 10 years and 87.1% (95% CI 83.4, 90.8) after 20 years. Implants installed in bruxers, smokers, and maxilla had a lower survival than implants installed in non-bruxers, non-smokers, and mandible, respectively. A total of 415 ISFAFDPs (47.8%) presented technical complications, of which 67 (7.7%) presented only occurrences of loss/fracture of implant access hole sealing. Bruxism was a factor to exert a higher risk of screw loosening (HR 3.302; also in younger patients), screw fracture (HR 4.956), ceramic chipping/fracture (HR 5.685), and loss/fracture of acrylic teeth (HR 2.125; this last complication with higher risk also in men, in maxillae, and when the opposing jaw presented natural dentition or fixed prostheses). Patients with bruxism had a statistically significant higher risk of prosthesis failure than non-bruxers (HR 3.276).

CONCLUSIONS: ISFAFDPs presented good long-term prognosis. Failure of several supporting implants was the main reason for failure. The results of the present study strongly suggest that bruxism is an important contributor to implant and prosthesis failure, as well as to an increased prevalence of technical complications in ISFAFDPs.