Analysis of proximal contact loss between implant-supported fixed dental prostheses and adjacent teeth in relation to influential factors and effects. A cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to analyze influential factors and effects of proximal contact loss between implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDP) and adjacent teeth.


METHODS
Ninety-four subjects treated with 135 FDPs supported by 188 implants were included. Degree of proximal contact tightness, food impaction, and periodontal/peri-implant tissue conditions were assessed in 191 proximal embrasures between implant-supported FDPs and adjacent teeth. Potential factors influencing proximal contact loss were estimated with the generalized estimation equation (GEE) procedure.


RESULTS
Thirty-four percent of the proximal embrasures between implant-supported FDPs and teeth lost a proximal contact. The proximal contact loss rate continuously increased over the follow-up periods. A longer follow-up period, splinted implants, and mesial aspect of proximal contact were significant factors influencing the proximal contact loss in the univariate GEE analysis, whereas a longer follow-up period was the only significant factor in the multivariate GEE analysis. Food impaction was more frequently reported in the proximal contact loss group than the proximal contact group (odds ratio: 2.2). However, the proximal contact loss did not appear to affect the periodontal/peri-implant tissue conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Proximal contact loss between implant-supported FDPs and teeth occurred frequently and increased continuously over the follow-up period. The proximal contact loss significantly affected food impaction, but not the periodontal/peri-implant tissue conditions. Proximal contact loss should be carefully monitored during follow-up examinations in relation to food impaction.
Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea.
Soo-Jung
SJ
Byun
Seok-Mo
SM
Heo
Seung-Geun
SG
Ahn
Moontaek
M
Chang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014085:Tooth Migration
D015921:Dental Implants
adjacent teeth; dental implants; food impaction; proximal contact loss