Risk factors associated with loss of variable-thread tapered implants: A retrospective observational study of 1-5 years.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the survival rate of variable-thread tapered implants (VTTIs) and identify risk factors for early/late implant loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2016 to December 2019, patients who received VTTIs were included in this study. The cumulative survival rates (CSRs) at implant/patient levels were calculated by the life table method and presented via Kaplan-Meier survival curves. The relation between investigated variables and early/late implant loss was analyzed by the multivariate generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression model on the implant level. RESULTS: A total of 1528 patients with 2998 VTTIs were included. 95 implants from 76 patients were lost at the end of observation. At the implant level, the CSRs at 1, 3, and 5 years were 98.77%, 96.97%, and 95.39%, respectively, whereas they were 97.84%, 95.31%, and 92.96% at the patient level, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that non-submerged implant healing (OR = 4.63, p = .037) was associated with the early loss of VTTIs. Besides, male gender (OR = 2.48, p = .002), periodontitis (OR = 3.25, p = .007), implant length <10 mm (OR = 2.63, p = .028), and overdenture (OR = 9.30, p = .004) could significantly increase the risk of late implant loss. CONCLUSION: Variable-thread tapered implants could reach an acceptable survival rate in clinical practice. Non-submerged implant healing was associated with early implant loss; male gender, periodontitis, implant length <10 mm, and overdenture would significantly increase the risk of late implant loss.