Tooth-implant connection with fixed partial dentures in partially edentulous arches. A retrospective cohort study over an 11.8 year observation period

Background: The fixed tooth-implant connection remains a controversial issue. This private practice-based retrospective study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of a contemporary fixed partial denture (FPD) design for connecting natural teeth and implants (TI-FPD), over an 11.8 years observation period. Material and Methods: The data of 91 partially edentulous patients (44 males and 47 females, mean age of 47.7 years) treated with a newly designed TI-FPD retained on 1 implant and 1 natural tooth were analyzed retrospectively. Teeth were covered with electroformed copings and a CAD/CAM made bridge was fixed over the abutments with provisional cement. Two different implant systems were used: Camlog (N=22; anterior areas) and Straumann tissue level (N=69; posterior areas). Results: The survival rate for both implants and teeth was 100%. 19/21 (90%, 95%CI 82–95%), 16/21 (66%, 95%CI 66–84%), and 16/21 (66%, 95%CI 66–84%) patients were free of biological complications after 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years post-loading, respectively. 23/35 (90%, 95%CI 54–74%), 21/35 (61%, 95%CI 50–70%), and 21/35 (61%, 95%CI 50–70%) were free of technical complications following 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years post loading, respectively. Conclusions: Despite limitations of the study, the findings demonstrated that the use of a recently designed TI-FPD could be used for the tooth-implant connection in cases of partial edentulism and this may widen the treatment modalities by reducing the cost and need for extensive bone tissue augmentations. Further controlled longitudinal studies with larger patient groups are needed.