Occlusal Migration of Teeth Adjacent to Implant Prostheses in Adults: A Long-Term Study

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of continuous tooth eruption on the outcomes of single-implant–supported restorations in the anterior maxilla of adults. Materials and Methods: Seventy-six patients (age: 21 to 78 years) treated with single-implant–supported restorations in the esthetic zone were included. Radiographs obtained at crown placement and follow-up examinations from 1 to 15 years postloading were analyzed with regard to vertical incisal plane changes of the implant-supported crown relative to adjacent teeth. Results: Infraocclusion increased over time by 0.08 ± 0.02 mm/year. Infraocclusion was more pronounced (P = .04) for delayed (0.09 mm/year) versus immediate implant placement (0.06 mm/year) and for younger versus older adults (0.0013 mm/year per additional year of age; P = .014). No statistically significant association between infraocclusion and sex, ethnicity, implant site, timing of implant temporization, surgical protocol, and type of restoration was found. Conclusion: Infraocclusion of single-implant–supported maxillary anterior restorations may result in esthetic concerns over time. Greater infraocclusion occurs in delayed implant placement and in younger individuals. Keywords: complication, esthetics, infraocclusion, infraposition, tooth eruption