Survival rates, patient satisfaction, and prosthetic complications of implant fixed complete dental prostheses: a 12-month prospective study.

PURPOSE: To determine the survival rate, incidence of prosthetic complications, and patient satisfaction of implant fixed complete dental prostheses (IFCDPs) after a mean observation period of 1.4 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight (28) eligible participants were recruited according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The definitive metal-acrylic resin IFCDPs consisted of titanium bars veneered with acrylic resin and acrylic denture teeth. Prosthodontic complications, divided into major and minor, were monitored. Parameters such as gender, jaw location, bruxism, and occlusal scheme were evaluated. Moreover, a questionnaire was administered throughout the study to assess patient satisfaction. Poisson regression as well as repeated measures ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen (14) males and 14 females were enrolled and followed-up at 3, 6, and 12 months. All IFCDPs survived (100% survival rate). The most frequent minor complication was the loss of material used to close the screw access hole (20% out of total complications). The most frequent major complication was chipping of the acrylic denture teeth (77.14% out of total complications). Gender (p = 0.008) and bruxism (p = 0.030) were significant predictors for the total major complications (major wear and major chipping) while occlusal scheme was a significant predictor for major chipping events (p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: While IFCDPs demonstrated high prosthetic survival rates, they also exhibited a high number of chipping events of the acrylic veneering material, especially in males, bruxers, and individuals with canine guidance occlusion. However, the occurrence of these prosthetic complications did not negatively affect patient satisfaction.