The transmandibular implant: a 5- and 15-year single-center study.
OBJECTIVE
Fifty-eight patients (average age, 60 years) with gross mandibular atrophy had transmandibular implants inserted between 1984 and 1988. This study reports on their progress at 5 and 15 years.


METHODS
In both 1991 and 2000, 50 cases were reviewed, with the other 8 lost to follow-up. Detailed surveys, using exactly the same format, were conducted to determine the outcome of transmandibular implant treatment. The records were reviewed and surviving patients with transmandibular implants were examined.


RESULTS
An overall success rate of 80% in 1991 had fallen to 56% by 2000, with a total of 22 implants being removed.


CONCLUSIONS
Factors involved in failure were age and medical infirmity of the patients, gross mandibular atrophy, and the use of several surgeons, in particular, trainees. This survey shows that the TMI has a progressive long-term failure rate and that extreme care needs to be taken in both patient selection and implant placement.
Paton
Greg
G
Oral and Mxillofacial Surgery Unit, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
Fuss
Janet
J
Goss
Alastair N
AN
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001284:Atrophy; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification*; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003781:Denture Retention; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration; D018579:Patient Selection; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants