Outcome of peri‐implant maintenance care in patients with an implant‐supported lower denture—A 3.5‐year retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND: Implant‐supported overdentures represent a successful treatment for edentulous patients. As early diagnosis, detection and supportive care are considered key factors for the prevention of peri‐implant diseases, consistent maintenance of these implants is becoming increasingly relevant. PURPOSE: This retrospective analysis evaluated a cohort of edentulous patients with a mandibular implant‐supported overdenture over a period of 3.5 years during which the peri‐implant tissues were assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 108 patients that had consistently adhered to the annual maintenance appointments was selected. The clinical peri‐implant pocket probing depth (PiPPD) and peri‐implant bleeding on probing score (PiBOP) were investigated. Data from the 3.5‐year follow‐up were compared to data from the baseline assessment. RESULTS: A 100% implant survival was reported after 3.5 years. The mean PiBOP showed a significant decrease over time (P = .028). The mean PiPPD was found significantly deeper for male patients both at baseline (P = .004) and 3.5‐year follow‐up (P < .001). Besides, the PiPPD for locator anchorages was found significantly deeper compared to ball anchorages at the 3.5‐year follow‐up (P = .026). CONCLUSION: In those patients that adhered to the annual maintenance visits during the 3.5 years after implant surgery a stable peri‐implant condition was observed. As future consideration, the comparison of the clinical outcomes of patients participating in the maintenance program with those that did not would make this observation even more meaningful.