SURVIVAL RATES OF IMPLANTS COMPROMISING ADJACENT TEETH AND THE ASSOCIATED COMPLICATIONS: AN OPG RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Abstract

Purpose: This retrospective study evaluated the survival rates of implants compromising adjacent teeth and the associated complications. Methodology: Medical records and orthopantomographic images of 1,132 patients and 1,478 implants were retrospectively analyzed. Finally, 96 patients (52 females, 44 males) with 111 malpositioned implants were included in the study. The mean follow-up of the study was 32 ± 14 months. The patients were divided into two core groups: 1) adjacent teeth and dental implants were considerably close but tangent to each other (TAN), and 2) dental implant cutting the roots of the adjacent tooth (CUT). In addition, the CUT group was divided into two subcategories considering the possible cause of malangulation as angled implant (AI) or angled adjacent tooth (AT). Damage to adjacent teeth, future treatment requirements, and the survival rates of the implants were recorded. Results. Among the 111 implants, 4 (3.6%) implants failed, all of which belonged to the CUT category and the AI subgroup. Among the 88 preoperatively vital adjacent teeth, root canal treatment was performed in 18 (20.5%) teeth, whereas 2 (2.3%) teeth were extracted due to malpositioned implanting in follow-ups. Conclusions. The placement of implants too close to the adjacent teeth and even cutting direction did not have a statistically significant effect on the survival rates of implants. However, this could cause adjacent teeth to undergo unnecessary root canal treatment or extraction. Clinical relevance. Patients with malpositioned adjacent teeth or dilacerated root(s) adjacent to the edentulous area are at a higher risk for malpositioned implant complications. Most implant malposition complications are observed in the first premolar region (37% cases). Therefore, more attention should be given while placing implants in the first premolar region.