Implant-retained dental rehabilitation in head and neck cancer patients: an assessment of success and failure.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the rate of osseointegration (ROI) and overall success rate (OSR) of implants placed in native and grafted jaws with or without radiotherapy at a 5-year follow-up in Indian head and neck cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty head and neck cancer patients from various socioeconomic strata were accrued. Eighty-five implants were inserted in 17 native and 13 grafted jaws. Nineteen patients received radiation therapy. A 5-year follow-up ROI and OSR of implants were reported. RESULTS: The 5-year ROI and OSR were 88% and 77%, respectively. ROI was 93% for grafted, 85% for native, 83% for irradiated, and 100% for nonirradiated jaws. OSR was 73% for grafted, 80% for native, 71% for irradiated, and 89% for nonirradiated jaws. Patients from higher socioeconomic strata had higher OSR (92%) as compared with those belonging to lower socioeconomic strata (65%). CONCLUSION: The failure rate observed in this study was 24% for implants placed in head and neck cancer patients at a 5-year follow-up.