Immediate Full-Arch Maxillary Rehabilitation Supported by Four Implants: A Retrospective Study with 15 to 20 Years of Follow-Up

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Edentulism represents a major public health challenge, causing disorders of social, psychological and biological origin. Full-arch implant-supported restorations represent a viable alternative to mitigate this problem. This study aimed to evaluate immediate implant-supported restorations for the rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla using four implants and distal implant tilting between 15 and 20 years. <b>Methods</b>: A total of 740 patients were included (women: 440; men: 300; average age: 55.3 years) rehabilitated with 740 prostheses, supported by 2960 dental implants. The primary outcome measure was prosthetic/implant cumulative survival and success (CSurR;CSucR). Secondary outcome measures included marginal bone loss (MBL), and the incidence of complications was evaluated as a secondary outcome measure. The outcomes were evaluated at 15 and 20 years. <b>Results</b>: In total, 287 patients (38.8%) with 1148 implants (38.8%) were lost to follow-up. A total of 170 implants (5.7%) in 101 patients (13.6%) failed, resulting in an implant CSurR and CSucR of 90.7% and 84.6%, respectively, after up to 20 years of follow-up. The prosthetic success rate was 98.1%. The average MBL was 1.07 mm ± 1.38 mm and 1.46 mm ± 1.56 mm at 15- and 20-years, respectively. Mechanical complication incidence was 78.5%, occurring in 581 patients (provisional prostheses: n = 448, 60.5%; definitive prostheses: <i>n</i> = 374, 50.5%). Biological complications occurred in 449 implants (15.2%) in 260 patients (35.1%). Biological complications and smoking habits were major risk indicators. <b>Conclusions</b>: Considering the study limitations, it can be concluded that the current rehabilitation concept is a viable treatment option in the long term, with mechanical and biological maintenance being necessary throughout the patients' lives.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2026-01-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020446
Primary Topic
Dental Implant Techniques and Outcomes
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article
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article

Immediate Full-Arch Maxillary Rehabilitation Supported by Four Implants: A Retrospective Study with 15 to 20 Years of Follow-Up

Miguel Ângelo Gouveia, Mariana Nunes, Carlos Moura Guedes, Inês Vitor et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Dental Implant Techniques and Outcomes
article

Immediate Full-Arch Maxillary Rehabilitation Supported by Four Implants: A Retrospective Study with 15 to 20 Years of Follow-Up

Miguel Ângelo Gouveia, Mariana Nunes, Carlos Moura Guedes, Inês Vitor, Daniela Silva Santos, Miguel de Araújo Nobre, Armando Lopes, Ana Ferro, Ricardo Almeida
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Edentulism represents a major public health challenge, causing disorders of social, psychological and biological origin. Full-arch implant-supported restorations represent a viable alternative to mitigate this problem. This study aimed to evaluate immediate implant-supported restorations for the rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla using four implants and distal implant tilting between 15 and 20 years. <b>Methods</b>: A total of 740 patients were included (women: 440; men: 300; average age: 55.3 years) rehabilitated with 740 prostheses, supported by 2960 dental implants. The primary outcome measure was prosthetic/implant cumulative survival and success (CSurR;CSucR). Secondary outcome measures included marginal bone loss (MBL), and the incidence of complications was evaluated as a secondary outcome measure. The outcomes were evaluated at 15 and 20 years. <b>Results</b>: In total, 287 patients (38.8%) with 1148 implants (38.8%) were lost to follow-up. A total of 170 implants (5.7%) in 101 patients (13.6%) failed, resulting in an implant CSurR and CSucR of 90.7% and 84.6%, respectively, after up to 20 years of follow-up. The prosthetic success rate was 98.1%. The average MBL was 1.07 mm ± 1.38 mm and 1.46 mm ± 1.56 mm at 15- and 20-years, respectively. Mechanical complication incidence was 78.5%, occurring in 581 patients (provisional prostheses: n = 448, 60.5%; definitive prostheses: <i>n</i> = 374, 50.5%). Biological complications occurred in 449 implants (15.2%) in 260 patients (35.1%). Biological complications and smoking habits were major risk indicators. <b>Conclusions</b>: Considering the study limitations, it can be concluded that the current rehabilitation concept is a viable treatment option in the long term, with mechanical and biological maintenance being necessary throughout the patients' lives.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(2)
Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte (PT), Hospital do Mar (PT)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 94%
Dental Implant Techniques and Outcomes
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