Splinting of implant crowns decreases rate of mechanical complications but increases rate of biological complications

A study was done analyze the biologic and mechanical complications of splinted and nonsplinted implant restorations. Materials and Methods: A total of 423 patients (n = implants: 888) were included in the study. Biologic and mechanical complications that occurred for 15 years were analyzed using the multivariable Cox regression model, and the significant effect of the splinting of prostheses and other risk factors were evaluated. Results: Biologic complications occurred in 38.7% of implants: 26.4% of nonsplinted implants (NS) and 45.4% of splinted implants (SP). Mechanical complications occurred in 49.2% of implants: 59.3% NS and 43.9% SP. Implants splinted with both mesial and distal adjacent implants (SP-mid) had the highest risk of peri-implant diseases. As the number of implants splinted increased, the risk of mechanical complications decreased. Long crown lengths increased the risk of both biologic and mechanical complications. Conclusion: Splinted implants had a higher risk of biologic complications and lower risk of mechanical complications. The implant splinted to both adjacent implants (SP-mid) had the highest risk of biologic complications. The greater the number of implants splinted, the lower the risk of mechanical complications. Long crown lengths increased the risk of both biologic and mechanical complications.

Part I of this retrospective study with a follow-up period of up to 15 years assessed the biological and mechanical complications associated with splinted (SP) and nonsplinted (NS) dental implant restorations. Based on the data from 423 patients (888 implants), the authors reported that the rate of mechanical complications was higher in the NS group than in the SP group (59.3% vs 43.9%), whereas the rate of biological complications was higher in the SP group than in the NS group (45.4% vs 26.4%). Although increasing the number of splinted implants reduced the risk of mechanical complications, implants splinted to both adjacent implants had the highest risk of biological complications.

Reference:

Yuseung Yi, DDS, PhD/Seong-Joo Heo, DDS, PhD/Jai-Young Koa, DDS, PhD/Seong-Kyun Kim, DDS, PhD/Ki-Tae Koo, DDS, PhD. Splinting or Nonsplinting Adjacent Implants? A Retrospective Study Up to 15 Years: Part I—Biologic and Mechanical Complication Analysis. Volume 38 , Issue 3, May, June 2023, Pages 435–442a. DOI: 10.11607/jomi.10053