Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate maxillary full-arch implant-supported fixed rehabilitations by identifying biologic complications, implant survival and success rates, and patient satisfaction with treatment. In addition, the study verified the influence of attendance at maintenance appointments on the occurrence of complications.
Materials and methods: Data were collected from clinical follow-up appointments.
Results: The sample consisted of 52 patients (363 implants) with follow-up of 1 to 12 years (mean: 4.69). The main biologic complication was soft tissue recession (20.8%) at the implant level. Tissue hyperplasia was observed in eight patients (15.4%), and 17 (4.7%) implants had bone loss ≥ 2 mm. The peri-implantitis rate was 3.1% (11 implants). Implant survival and success rates were 97.8% and 93.4%, respectively. Rates of patient satisfaction with treatment were as follows: 21 (40.4%) completely satisfied, 28 (53.8%) satisfied with some complaint, and 3 (5.8%) expected more from treatment. The main complaint was the difficulty of cleaning (64.5%). Patients who attended annual follow-up appointments were associated with less bone remodeling and peri-implant disease, but no significant difference was found in biofilm accumulation.
Conclusion: This type of rehabilitation is susceptible to biologic complications, but high survival and success rates and patient satisfaction were found. Periodic maintenance was associated with reduced complications, such as bone loss or peri-implantitis.
