title: Implant Tooth-Supported Removable Partial Denture with at Least 15-Year Long-Term Follow-Up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present report is to describe the long-term follow-up of cases treated with implant tooth-supported removable partial denture (ITSRPD) after at least 15 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample comprised 20 consecutively partially edentulous patients treated with ITSRPD. Implants were placed in order to improve unfavorable removable partial denture design resulting from unfavorable teeth distribution and biomechanical considerations, esthetic, or periodontal challenges. All patients were followed up every 6 months for the first 2 years and annually thereafter for at least 15 years. Recall visits for professional cleaning and oral hygiene re-enforcement were scheduled every 3 to 6 mounts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 42 implants were placed in 20 patients and restored with ITSRPD. All implants and prosthetic devices functioned successfully throughout the 15 years of follow-up. Three patients had gone through further implant placement several years after ITSRPD was provided, and a fixed implant-supported restoration was provided on the original and new implants. No implant failure was noted during follow-up, resulting in a rate for implant survival of 100% for the study. Marginal bone loss around implants ranged between 0 and 2 mm (mean 0.64 ± 0.6 mm). During the follow-up period, prosthetic complications were minor and included one rest rupture. All patients answered a questionnaire and were satisfied with the prosthesis. They reported good chewing ability and stability of the prosthetic devices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ITSRPD can be used with predictable long-term results in carefully selected and well-maintained population. Patients should be advised of their role in maintenance, and a comprehensive recall system is mandatory to obtain satisfactory long-term results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Rehabilitation, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Eitan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mijiritsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Poriya Hospital, Tiberius, Israel.
authors.forename: Adi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lorean
authors.affiliation: Ra'anana, Israel.
authors.forename: Ziv
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mazor
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Rambam Health Care Campus and Faculty of Medicine, Technion, IIT, Haifa, Israel, and Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Liran
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: alveolar bone; dental implantation; mandible; maxilla; success; survival