Clinical performance of tooth implant–supported removable partial dentures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract Objective To assess the clinical performance of tooth implant–supported removable partial dentures in terms of abutment survival in relation to the attachment system used. Methods An electronic search in MEDLINE/PubMed Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was performed. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Survival rates after 3 years and 5 years, loss, and complication rates per 100 years were estimated by Poisson regression. Results A total of twelve studies were included; eleven studies were used for the meta-analysis. Survival analysis for mixed attachments showed an estimated survival rate of 100% after 3 years and 5 years. For uniform attachments, the estimated survival rate was 99.3% after 3 years and 98.8% after 5 years. Tooth abutment survival analysis for mixed attachments estimated a survival rate of 95% after 3 years and 91.7% after 5 years: Uniform attachments reached a survival rate of 97.2% after 3 years and 95.4% after 5 years. The prosthetic survival rate was 100% for mixed and uniform abutments after 3 years and 5 years of function. Conclusions Tooth implant–supported removable partial dentures can be considered as a reliable option with excellent prosthetic and implant survival rates and favorable rates for the abutments after 3-year and 5-year follow-ups. Complications may be reduced when 5 or more abutments are used. Clinical relevance Tooth implant–supported removable partial dentures are a favorable and potential alternative to restore a partially edentulous arch by optimizing the number and distribution of abutments.