Within-subject comparison between connected and nonconnected tooth-to-implant fixed partial prostheses: Up to 14-year follow-up study

Purpose: This long-term follow-up study aimed to compare the outcome of fix ed prostheses supported by teeth and implants and by freestanding implants only. Materials and Methods: From prosthesis insertion up to 14 years (mean 6.5 y), 18 patients were followed. Implant-supported prostheses with and w ithout tooth connection were compared within the same jaw. The tooth-implan t prostheses were supported by 30 implants and 30 teeth, and the freestandi ng prostheses were supported by 48 implants. Implant outcome, marginal bone stability, and mechanical complications were recorded. Results: Neither im plant mobility nor fractures of any component of the implants were observed . No prosthesis complications were observed, and the same applied for crown cement failure and intrusion of teeth. Only one periapical lesion was dete cted at the first follow up. The annual change of the marginal bone level a round connected and freestanding implants did not differ significantly. The mean marginal bone loss (over the 2 groups) for the first 6 months amounte d to 1.08 mm. After the first 6 months, an annual marginal bone loss of 0.0 15 mm was observed. There was no difference between the 3 connection types (single implant connected to single tooth, multiple implants and/or multipl e teeth connected with single connector, and multiple connectors) for the f irst 6 months or thereafter. The marginal bone loss (over the 3 groups) for the first 6 months was 1.15 mm. After the first 6 months, the annual bone loss (over the 3 groups) amounted to 0.015 mm. Conclusion: Based on the res ults of this study, splinting teeth with implants for implant-supported fix ed prostheses did not affect the long-term outcome in comparison to freesta nding implants.