Retrospective study of treatment outcomes with implant-retained extraoral prostheses: survival rates and prosthetic complications.
BACKGROUND
Implant-retained extraoral prostheses are an acceptable solution for patients with facial defects. However, these prostheses have a limited service life. Little has been reported on survival periods of implant-retained extraoral prostheses and prosthetic complications of this treatment modality.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to estimate the survival rates of implant-retained extraoral prostheses and to analyze the frequency of prosthetic complications.


METHODS
Seventy patients were treated with implant-retained extraoral prostheses. Each patient was examined with respect to the prosthesis appearance and abutment and attachment component complications at 6-month intervals over a period of 10 to 46 months. The Kaplan-Meier survival estimation method was used for the first and subsequent prostheses. The reasons for remaking prostheses were recorded. Complications of the abutment and attachment components and the prostheses were recorded. Frequency of complications was evaluated. Data were analyzed using the Fisher exact test (alpha=.05).


RESULTS
Thirty-two auricular, 25 orbital, and 13 nasal prostheses were evaluated. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed an estimated mean survival time of 14.5 months for the patients' first prostheses. The survival times for the first implant-retained auricular, orbital, and nasal prostheses were 14.1, 13.4, and 17.6 months, respectively. The survival times for the second implant-retained auricular, orbital, and nasal prostheses were 14.4, 15.3, and 14.0 months, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Implant-retained extraoral prostheses had limited survival rates. The primary reasons for making new prostheses were discoloration, tearing, and mechanical failures of the acrylic resin substructure or retentive elements. Common complications were the need for clip activation, loosening of bar screws and abutments, and loss of attachment between silicone and the acrylic resin substructure. (J Prosthet Dent 2010;103:118-126).
Karakoca
Secil
S
Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
Aydin
Cemal
C
Yilmaz
Handan
H
Bal
Bilge Turhan
BT
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002648:Child; D004431:Ear, External; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose; D020273:Orbital Implants; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D017797:Prosthesis Coloring; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting / Q000295:instrumentation; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012826:Silicone Elastomers